WASP

WASP designs allele-specific (AS) primers for genotyping Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs) and mutations.

Key Features:

• Integrated Local SNP Database: Provides a local database of over 10 million SNPs aggregated from NCBI dbSNP, HapMap, and JSNP.
• Primer Specificity Enhancement: Implements deliberate mismatch introduction at the penultimate base of the 3'-end of AS primers to increase allele discrimination.
• Versatile Input Options: Accepts key-based searches or user-provided SNPs with flanking sequences as input for primer design.

Scientific Applications:

• Population Genetics: Enables allele-specific genotyping of SNPs across populations using referenced SNP datasets.
• Molecular Genetics: Supports targeted genotyping of mutations for molecular assays.
• Pharmacogenomics: Facilitates design of AS primers for genotyping variants relevant to drug response.

Methodology:

Integration of a local SNP database (NCBI dbSNP, HapMap, JSNP) and acceptance of key searches or SNPs with flanking sequences as input, combined with deliberate mismatch placement at the penultimate base of the 3'-end of AS primers to enhance specificity.