How do I migrate my Vector NTI® database into SnapGene?
SnapGene can import and convert a Vector NTI® database into a new folder on your computer. See https://www.snapgene.com/vector-nti/. The following file types can be imported:
| File Type | Description |
|---|---|
| .gp and .gp |
DNA and protein sequences |
| .ma4 and .pa4 | DNA and protein archives |
| .cep | Contig Express assemblies |
| .apr and .aprx | AlignX multiple alignments |
| .oar | Oligo Archive |
Limit the Depth of Imported File History (Optional)
SnapGene will retain the History component of your Vector NTI files. SnapGene embeds ancestral files to create the History for each imported file. If your Vector NTI database is large and complex then importation may result in extremely large SnapGene files, and the imported database may require significant disk space, which may result in incomplete importation.
Follow the instructions in the following link to set an "Ancestor Limit" prior to importing a Vector NTI database, we recommend a limit of 2-3 levels ancestors per file, see Set the Ancestor Limit for History Trees.
Locate your Vector NTI database
A vector NTI database will reside somewhere on your computer as a single folder, with a name like "Vector NTI database". Consult the Vector NTI documentation for the likely location of this folder.
Import a Database
In SnapGene, click File → Import Vector NTI Database....
In the Import window, use the upper Browse button to point SnapGene at the database folder.
Enter a name for for the new folder that will be created. Use the lower Browse button to set the location for saving the new folder.
If SnapGene detects that the Vector NTI database contains customized user fields then it will give you the option to map one field to the SnapGene "Code number" Field. See Configure Code Numbers for a Collection for more information on "Code Numbers". Click OK to Continue.
A Progress window will appear during the importation process.
All files that can be imported will be imported and the new folder will be opened as a "Project" in the main SnapGene window.
Two subfolders will contain all imported DNA files and all protein files.
All primers from your Vector NTI database will be imported as a single delimited text list called Oligos.txt.
You can use this text file for testing your primers against any DNA or RNA sequences. See Import Primers for more information on importing primers from a delimited file.
View and Use the Imported Sequence Files
In the side panel click on the disclosure control next to a Folder to show the contents of the folder.
Click on a file name to view a file as a temporary tab. Double click on a file name to begin working with the file. See Use the SnapGene 7.0 Interface for more information about working with tabs in SnapGene.
View Sub Folders
Subfolders will replicate the original structure of your vector NTI database.
Expand a subfolder to view a subfolders contents. All files in subfolders will be shortcuts to original files in the top level directory.