Oligo files

An oligo file contains primer set or probe information saved within the OligoCheck program from the main window file menu.  This is a simple text file that can be opened and edited within any text editor program (although there shouldn't be any need to do this!).

When creating an oligo file, make sure that the primers or probes being saved contain only recognised IUB base codes, otherwise an error message will be displayed.  Oligonucleotides should always be sense and written from 5' to 3'.  Antisense oligonucleotides can be converted with the aid of ReverseComplement if necessary.  3' position information relative to the Escherichia coli 16S rRNA gene can be supplied, although this is not mandatory.

Contents of a typical oligo file (formatted and coloured to make it easier to read):

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<!--File generated by OligoCheck. Copyright (c) 2004, Kevin Ashelford.-->
<oligos>
<Notes/>

<oligo name="Forward primer">
<sequence>CCTACGGGAGGCAGCAG</sequence>
<position>357</position>
</oligo>

<oligo name="Reverse primer">
<sequence>CCAGCAGCCGCGGTAAT</sequence>
<position>534</position>
</oligo>

</oligos>