AN AUTOMATED FILM READER FOR DNA-SEQUENCING BASED ON HOMOMORPHIC DECONVOLUTION

An automated reader for electrophoresis based DNA sequencing methods i s described that provides fast and accurate sequence determination. Di gitized sequencing lanes are processed with homomorphic blind deconvol ution in preparation for peak detection, interlane alignment, peak ref inement and base calling. Initial reads from direct blot sequencing fi lms have error rates of about 1% at the rate of 5 nucleotides/s. Typic al read lengths are 500-600 nucleotides. The described reader is a sig nificant improvement over existing readers and could be an essential c omponent in the sequencing efforts of the Human Genome Project.