The Find command opens a dialog window that enables you to specify a string to search for in the frontmost editing window (the sequence window immediately behind the Find window). You can search through the Single Sequence window and the MSA Editor window. It also allows you to search through features and also through results windows such as BLAST search results.
Make sure the middle tab is selected. This is the default unless the window is opened from a Results window or the feature table.
1. Type a string in the top text field. Select REVERSE or COMPLEMENT if you need to search with the reverse and/or complement of the query sequence. Please note that only valid one-letter IUPAC key character codes are acceptable.
2. Click on the Find button to start the search from the position specified in the starting from drop-down menu, on the strand specified by the strand drop-down menu and in the reading frame specified by the phase drop-down menu.
The search proceeds in a 5' to 3' direction if the forward checkbox is checked, or in a 3' to 5' direction if it is not. Checking the literal checkbox forces MacVector to search for an exact match of the query. Normally in nonliteral searches, MacVector compares the IUPAC key definition of each character in the string, i.e., an 'N' will match an 'A', 'T', 'C', or 'G'.
If a match is found in the editing window, it is highlighted. If not, the computer beeps.
To find the next occurrence of the search string from the current cursor position, click on the Find Next button.
The Find window also enables you to specify a replacement string.
- Click on the Replace button to substitute this string for the current selection in the editing window.
- Click on the Replace All button to replace all occurrences of the search string with the replacement string.
By clicking on the Strand Type button in the upper left-hand corner of the Find window, you can specify whether to search for a nucleic acid or protein string - if the frontmost editing window is different from the search string, MacVector automatically performs the translation (or reverse-translation) by using the current Genetic Code. Additionally, you can use the drop-down menus and checkboxes to control the strand, reading frame, and direction of the search.
Make sure the first tab is selected. This is the default when the window is opened from the feature table.
1. Type in a search term in the first field.
2. Choose a Feature type and a Qualifier type as represented in the the feature table.
3. Click ALL to select all features that match these search terms or PREVIOUS and/or NEXT to move between the hits one at a time.
Make sure the third tab is selected. This is the default when the window is opened from a Results window.
1. Type in a search term in the field.
2. select the two options depending if you want the search to be case sensitive or to wrap across lines.
3. Click PREVIOUS or NEXT to move between the hits one at a time.