[Novel computerized method for designing nucleotide sequence used for DNA probes and PCR primers].

There is no consensus on how to determine optimal sequences of oligonucleotides used as DNA probes and PCR primers, which exhibit high sensitivity with minimum chance of cross-hybridization to other unrelated genes in the target tissues and cells. Here, we propose new strategy for designing oligonucleotide sequence using newly developed computer program, in which candidate oligonucleotides having similar melting temperature (Tm) are extracted from every position of the target gene, then extensive homology analysis is carried out between each candidate oligonucleotide and all the sequences in the user-defined databases using an efficient proprietary algorithm. The new computer program allows researchers to design any probes and primers easily and quickly without having detailed information of the target gene.