SnapGene vs SnapGene Viewer: Which One Is Right for You? - Download Them for Free
SnapGene Free Download: A Guide for Molecular Biologists
If you are a molecular biologist who works with DNA sequences, plasmids, cloning, PCR, or other common techniques, you may have heard of SnapGene, a software that can help you plan, visualize, and document your everyday molecular biology procedures. But what is SnapGene exactly, how can you download it for free, and how can you use it for your projects? In this article, we will answer these questions and more. We will also compare SnapGene with some of its alternatives and help you decide which one suits your needs best.
SnapGene Free Download
What is SnapGene and why do you need it?
SnapGene is a software that was created by GSL Biotech in 2005. It is designed to make molecular biology easier by providing a set of tools that allow you to create, browse, share, edit, annotate, align, simulate, validate, and visualize DNA sequence files. Here are some of the reasons why you may need SnapGene for your molecular biology projects.
SnapGene is a software for everyday molecular biology
One of the main features of SnapGene is that it can help you with various aspects of molecular biology. Whether you want to design a cloning strategy, perform a PCR reaction, edit a sequence file, align two sequences, annotate a plasmid map, or create a gel image, SnapGene can do it for you. Here are some examples of what you can do with SnapGene:
- Cloning: You can design and test any cloning method, such as restriction cloning, Gibson assembly, Gateway cloning, In-Fusion cloning, or Golden Gate assembly. SnapGene will automatically choose the optimal primers, enzymes, and conditions for your cloning procedure. You can also simulate the expected results and check for errors or mutations. - PCR: You can design and test any PCR method, such as standard PCR, mutagenesis PCR, overlap extension PCR, or multiplex PCR. SnapGene will automatically choose the optimal primers, annealing temperatures, and cycle numbers for your PCR reaction. You can also simulate the expected products and check for errors or mismatches. - Sequence editing: You can import, export, edit, and annotate any DNA sequence file in various formats, such as GenBank, FASTA, EMBL, or SnapGene. You can also perform common operations, such as reverse complement, translate, find restriction sites, find ORFs, or add features. - Alignment: You can compare and align two or more DNA sequences using SnapGene or SnapGene Viewer. You can perform pairwise or multiple alignments using global or local algorithms. You can also view the alignment results in a graphical or tabular format and export them as PDF or text files. - Annotation: You can create and customize richly annotated plasmid maps using SnapGene or SnapGene Viewer. You can add features, labels, colors, symbols, notes, and links to your plasmid maps. You can also view the plasmid maps in circular or linear mode and export them as PDF or image files. - Visualization: You can create and customize realistic agarose gel images using SnapGene or SnapGene Viewer. You can simulate the electrophoresis of your DNA samples using different gel types, voltages, run times, and loading dyes. You can also view the gel images in color or grayscale mode and export them as PDF or image files.
As you can see, SnapGene can help you with a wide range of molecular biology tasks. But how much does it cost and how can you get it for free?
SnapGene offers a free trial and a free viewer
If you want to use SnapGene for your molecular biology projects, you have two options: you can either buy a license or download a free trial. A license for SnapGene costs $275 per year for academic users and $995 per year for commercial users. However, if you are not sure whether you want to invest in SnapGene or not, you can try it for free for 30 days. To download the free trial, you just need to fill out a form on the official website and you will receive a download link and a license key by email.
If you don't need all the features of SnapGene and you just want to view and share sequence files with others, you can download SnapGene Viewer for free. SnapGene Viewer is a simplified version of SnapGene that allows you to open any file created by SnapGene or other software. You can also perform some basic operations with SnapGene Viewer, such as editing sequences, annotating plasmids, aligning sequences, and visualizing gels. To download SnapGene Viewer for free, you just need to visit the official website and click on the download button.
Now that you know how to get SnapGene or SnapGene Viewer for free, let's see how to download and install them on your computer.
How to download and install SnapGene or SnapGene Viewer
Downloading and installing SnapGene or SnapGene Viewer is easy and fast. Here are the steps you need to follow:
Download SnapGene or SnapGene Viewer from the official website
The first step is to visit the official website of SnapGene at https://www.snapgene.com/. There you will find two buttons: one for downloading SnapGene and one for downloading SnapGene Viewer. Click on the button that corresponds to the software you want to download.
You will be redirected to a page where you will see the system requirements for running SnapGene or SnapGene Viewer on your computer. Make sure that your computer meets these requirements before proceeding with the download. The system requirements are:
Operating SystemWindowsMacLinux
SnapGeneWindows 7 or laterMac OS X 10.8 or laterUbuntu 12.04 or laterFedora 21 or laterCentOS 7 or later
SnapGene ViewerWindows XP or laterMac OS X 10.6 or laterUbuntu 12.04 or laterFedora 21 or laterCentOS 7 or later
After checking the system requirements, you will need to fill out a form with your name, email address, institution, and country. This is required for downloading SnapGene, but optional for downloading SnapGene Viewer. After filling out the form, you will receive a download link and a license key by email. You can also download the software directly from the website by clicking on the download button.
Install SnapGene or SnapGene Viewer on your computer
The next step is to install SnapGene or SnapGene Viewer on your computer. The installation process may vary slightly depending on your operating system, but it is generally straightforward and simple. Here are the steps for installing the software on Windows, Mac, or Linux:
Windows: Double-click on the downloaded file (SnapGene_Setup.exe or SnapGene_Viewer_Setup.exe) and follow the instructions on the screen. You may need to accept the license agreement and choose the destination folder for the software. After the installation is complete, you can launch SnapGene or SnapGene Viewer from the Start menu or the desktop shortcut.
Mac: Double-click on the downloaded file (SnapGene.dmg or SnapGene_Viewer.dmg) and drag the SnapGene or SnapGene Viewer icon to the Applications folder. You may need to enter your administrator password and accept the license agreement. After the installation is complete, you can launch SnapGene or SnapGene Viewer from the Applications folder or the Dock.
Linux: Open a terminal window and navigate to the folder where you downloaded the file (SnapGene.sh or SnapGene_Viewer.sh). Make the file executable by typing chmod +x SnapGene.sh or chmod +x SnapGene_Viewer.sh and press Enter. Then run the file by typing ./SnapGene.sh or ./SnapGene_Viewer.sh and press Enter. You may need to accept the license agreement and choose the destination folder for the software. After the installation is complete, you can launch SnapGene or SnapGene Viewer from the terminal window or the menu.
After installing SnapGene or SnapGene Viewer on your computer, you will need to register them with your email address.
Register SnapGene or SnapGene Viewer with your email address
The final step is to register SnapGene or SnapGene Viewer with your email address. This is required for activating your license and receiving updates and support from GSL Biotech. Here are the steps for registering the software:
SnapGene: When you launch SnapGene for the first time, you will see a dialog box asking you to enter your license key. You can find your license key in the email that you received after downloading SnapGene. Copy and paste your license key into the dialog box and click OK. You will then see another dialog box asking you to enter your email address. Enter your email address and click OK. You will receive a confirmation email from GSL Biotech. Click on the link in the email to complete your registration.
SnapGene Viewer: When you launch SnapGene Viewer for the first time, you will see a dialog box asking you to enter your email address. This is optional, but recommended if you want to receive updates and support from GSL Biotech. Enter your email address and click OK. You will receive a confirmation email from GSL Biotech. Click on the link in the email to complete your registration.
Congratulations! You have successfully downloaded and installed SnapGene or SnapGene Viewer on your computer. Now you are ready to use them for your molecular biology projects.
How to use SnapGene or SnapGene Viewer for your molecular biology projects
SnapGene and SnapGene Viewer are powerful and user-friendly software that can help you with various aspects of molecular biology. In this section, we will show you how to use them for creating, browsing, sharing, editing, annotating, aligning, simulating, validating, and visualizing DNA sequence files.
Create, browse, and share richly annotated sequence files
One of the main functions of SnapGene and SnapGene Viewer is to create, browse, and share richly annotated sequence files. A sequence file is a digital representation of a DNA molecule that contains information about its nucleotide sequence, features, annotations, history, and properties. You can create a sequence file from scratch or import it from another source, such as a database, a website, or another software. You can also export your sequence file to various formats, such as GenBank, FASTA, EMBL, or SnapGene. Here are some examples of how to create, browse, and share sequence files with SnapGene or SnapGene Viewer:
Create a sequence file from scratch: To create a new sequence file from scratch, you can click on the File menu and select New DNA. You will see a dialog box where you can enter the name, description, circularity, and length of your sequence. You can also choose to enter the nucleotide sequence manually or generate it randomly. After entering the information, click OK and you will see your new sequence file in the main window.
Import a sequence file from another source: To import a sequence file from another source, you can click on the File menu and select Import. You will see a dialog box where you can browse your computer or the internet for the file you want to import. You can import files in various formats, such as GenBank, FASTA, EMBL, or SnapGene. After selecting the file, click Open and you will see your imported sequence file in the main window.
Export a sequence file to another format: To export a sequence file to another format, you can click on the File menu and select Export. You will see a dialog box where you can choose the format and the destination for your exported file. You can export files in various formats, such as GenBank, FASTA, EMBL, or SnapGene. After choosing the format and the destination, click Save and your exported file will be ready.
Browse a sequence file in the main window: To browse a sequence file in the main window, you can use the toolbar buttons or the keyboard shortcuts to navigate through the sequence. You can also use the mouse wheel or the scroll bar to zoom in or out of the sequence. You can view the sequence in different modes, such as Sequence mode (shows the nucleotide sequence and its features), Enzymes mode (shows the restriction sites and their properties), Primers mode (shows the primers and their properties), History mode (shows the cloning steps and their details), or Map mode (shows the plasmid map and its annotations).
Share a sequence file with others: To share a sequence file with others, you can use the File menu and select Share. You will see a dialog box where you can choose to share your file by email or by cloud. If you choose to share by email, you can enter the recipient's email address and a message. If you choose to share by cloud, you can upload your file to a cloud service, such as Dropbox or Google Drive. You can also generate a link that you can copy and paste to anyone who wants to view your file.
As you can see, SnapGene and SnapGene Viewer allow you to create, browse, and share richly annotated sequence files with ease. But how can you use them to simulate common cloning and PCR methods?
Simulate common cloning and PCR methods
Another important function of SnapGene is that it can help you simulate common cloning and PCR methods. Cloning and PCR are essential techniques for molecular biology that involve creating copies of DNA molecules using enzymes, primers, vectors, and other reagents. SnapGene can help you design and test any cloning or PCR method using its smart algorithms and graphical interface. Here are some examples of how to simulate common cloning and PCR methods with SnapGene:
Restriction cloning: Restriction cloning is a method that involves cutting DNA molecules with restriction enzymes and ligating them into vectors with compatible ends. To simulate restriction cloning with SnapGene, you can click on the Cloning menu and select Restriction Cloning. You will see a dialog box where you can choose your source DNA (such as a plasmid or a PCR product) and your destination vector. You can also choose your restriction enzymes from a list of over 600 enzymes or add your own custom enzymes. After choosing your options, click Next and you will see a graphical representation of your cloning procedure. You can also view the expected results and check for errors or mutations.
Gibson assembly: Gibson assembly is a method that involves joining DNA fragments with overlapping ends using an enzyme mix that performs exonuclease, polymerase, and ligase activities. To simulate Gibson assembly with SnapGene , you can click on the Cloning menu and select Gibson Assembly. You will see a dialog box where you can choose your DNA fragments (such as plasmids, PCR products, or synthetic oligos) and their order and orientation. You can also choose your enzyme mix from a list of commercially available mixes or add your own custom mix. After choosing your options, click Next and you will see a graphical representation of your assembly procedure. You can also view the expected results and check for errors or mutations.
Gateway cloning: Gateway cloning is a method that involves transferring DNA sequences between different vectors using site-specific recombination mediated by bacteriophage lambda proteins. To simulate Gateway cloning with SnapGene, you can click on the Cloning menu and select Gateway Cloning. You will see a dialog box where you can choose your source DNA (such as an entry clone or an expression clone) and your destination vector (such as a destination vector or a destination clone). You can also choose your recombination reaction from a list of available reactions or add your own custom reaction. After choosing your options, click Next and you will see a graphical representation of your cloning procedure. You can also view the expected results and check for errors or mutations.
Standard PCR: Standard PCR is a method that involves amplifying a specific region of DNA using primers and a thermostable DNA polymerase. To simulate standard PCR with SnapGene, you can click on the PCR menu and select Standard PCR. You will see a dialog box where you can choose your template DNA (such as a plasmid or a genomic DNA) and your primers (such as custom primers or primers from a library). You can also choose your PCR conditions (such as annealing temperature, extension time, and cycle number) or let SnapGene choose them for you. After choosing your options, click Next and you will see a graphical representation of your PCR procedure. You can also view the expected products and check for errors or mismatches.
Mutagenesis PCR: Mutagenesis PCR is a method that involves introducing mutations into a DNA sequence using primers with mismatched bases and a thermostable DNA polymerase. To simulate mutagenesis PCR with SnapGene, you can click on the PCR menu and select Mutagenesis PCR. You will see a dialog box where you can choose your template DNA (such as a plasmid or a PCR product) and your mutagenic primers (such as custom primers or primers from a library). You can also choose your PCR conditions (such as annealing temperature, extension time, and cycle number) or let SnapGene choose them for you. After choosing your options, click Next and you will see a graphical representation of your PCR procedure. You can also view the expected products and check for errors or mismatches.
As you can see, SnapGene can help you simulate common cloning and PCR methods with ease. But how can you use it to validate your sequenced constructs and perform alignments?
Validate your sequenced constructs and perform alignments
Another useful function of SnapGene and SnapGene Viewer is that they can help you validate your sequenced constructs and perform alignments. Validation is the process of verifying that your sequenced construct matches the expected sequence and does not contain any errors or mutations. Alignment is the process of comparing two or more sequences and identifying their similarities and differences. Here are some examples of how to validate your sequenced constructs and perform alignments with SnapGene or SnapGene Viewer:
Validate your sequenced construct: To validate your sequenced construct with SnapGene or SnapGene Viewer, you can click on the Tools menu and select Validate Construct. You will see a dialog box where you can choose your sequenced construct file (such as an ABI file or an SFF file) and your reference file (such as a plasmid file or a GenBank file). You can also choose to ignore any features or annotations in the reference file. After choosing your options, click OK and you will see a graphical representation of the validation results. You can also view the validation report and check for errors or mutations.
Perform pairwise alignment: To perform pairwise alignment with SnapGene or SnapGene Viewer, you can click on the Tools menu and select Align Two Sequences. You will see a dialog box where you can choose two sequence files (such as plasmid files, GenBank files, FASTA files, or SnapGene files) that you want to align. You can also choose the alignment algorithm (global or local), the scoring matrix (identity, similarity, or nucleotide), and the gap penalties. After choosing your options, click OK and you will see a graphical representation of the alignment results. You can also view the alignment report