BULLET - A COMPUTER-SIMULATION OF SHOTGUN DNA-SEQUENCING

BULLET is a computer program that simulates shotgun sequencing of DNA. The program has been used to simulate the sequencing of DNA fragments from 2 to 30 kb. To obtain 80% single or double-stranded sequence, a doubling of the DNA fragment size necessitates twice the number of seq uencing reactions. However, a similar linear relationship does not app ly to the determination of 100% single or double-stranded sequence. Da ta from BULLET were used to derive simple linear formulae that estimat e the number of sequencing reactions necessary to partially sequence a fragment of DNA irrespective of size. When 80% of the double-stranded sequence has been determined, similar to 98% of single-stranded seque nce will be known. This is a reasonable point to change to a more dire cted strategy of DNA sequencing.