You can add a blank new sequence in the MSA window, insert one or more sequences by pasting from the clipboard, or import sequences from files. Before adding a sequence, ensure that the alignment is unlocked. If necessary, click on the padlock button to display an open padlock.
1. With the MSA editor window active, choose Edit | Add New Sequence.
The newly created sequence is displayed below the existing sequences. Its length is set to the alignment length, and it consists entirely of gap characters. The cursor is positioned at the first character.
2. To input the sequence, do either of the following, as appropriate:
- Paste in the required residues (see Changing and deleting sequences)
- Type the required residues, using the cursor arrows to move along the sequence if necessary.
When you type, residues are inserted into the sequence. At the end of the sequence, gaps are truncated to keep the length constant.
TIP: You can use a numeric keypad for entering sequences.
1. Choose where you want the sequences to be inserted, and position the cursor somewhere in the sequence line immediately above this point.
NOTE: When there are multiple sequences on the Clipboard, the Paste command will not work if any sequences or residues are selected.
2. Choose Edit | Paste.
The pasted sequences will be inserted below the cursor.
Another way to add sequences is to import them from single- or multiple-sequence files. You can import several files in one operation.
1. Choose where you want the sequences to be inserted, and position the cursor somewhere in the sequence line immediately above this point.
2. Choose Edit | Add Sequences from File. The Open File dialog box is displayed.
3. Select the sequence file(s) you want to open.
4. Select Open to open the sequence files.
The sequences are inserted at the cursor.
You can merge two or more aligmnents.
1. Open the largest alignment
2. Choose where you want the second (or more) alignments to be inserted, and position the cursor somewhere in the sequence line immediately above this point.
3. Choose Edit | Add Sequences from File. The Open File dialog box is displayed.
4. Select the sequence alignment(s) you want to merge.
5. Select Open to open the sequence files.
The alignments are inserted at the cursor. The alignment will need to be recalculated.
MacVector supports a full range of options to select residues and sequences.
- Choose Edit | Select All.
All the residues are highlighted. If you want to cancel the selection, click on white space anywhere in the sequence alignment display.
TIP: If you need to insert gaps at the start of an alignment, choose Edit | Select All. Then move the entire alignment to the right, by dragging with the mouse.
You can select one or more full sequences for copying or deletion. (Full sequences include both the sequence's name and all its residues.)
1. Select a sequence name by clicking on it.
The selected sequence is highlighted.
2. To select multiple sequences, hold down the Shift key while clicking on the required sequence names.
If you need to de-select a sequence, hold down the Shift key and click on its name again. To de-select all sequences, click anywhere in the sequence alignment display.
1. Do one of the following:
- click and drag on one or more residues. You can select a block of residues from several sequences in this way. However, discontinuous blocks cannot be selected
- double-click a residue to select that residue and all residues contiguous with it. The selection is made in both directions, until an inserted gap or the end of the sequence is encountered
- click the cursor in front of the first residue in the range you want to select. Holding down the Shift key,scroll the window until you can see the last residue in the required range, and click after it.
The selected residues are highlighted. You can copy them to the clipboard using Edit | Copy, or move them as described in the topic: Changing and deleting sequences.