BEsTRF: a tool for optimal resolution of terminal-restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis based on user-defined primer–enzyme–sequence databases

BEsTRF (Best Estimated T-RF) provides a standalone environment for analyzing primers-enzymes-gene section combinations used in terminal-restriction fragment length polymorphism (T-RFLP) for its optimal resolution. User-defined sequence databases of several hundred thousand DNA sequences can be explored and the resolution of user-specified sets of primers and restriction endonucleases can be analyzed on either forward or reverse terminal fragments. Sequence quality, primer mismatches, insertions and deletions can be controlled and each primer pair-specific sequence collections can be exported for downstream analyses. The configuration for a novel T-RFLP population profiling using rpoB gene (DNA-directed RNA polymerase, beta subunit) on forward fluorescently labeled primer are presented.