StarORF

Introduction
StarORF is a six frame translator software that allows users to identify the sequences within a DNA region that encode proteins. DNA can be read in six possible reading frames, 3 in the forward direction and 3 in the reverse direction.  Each frame will result in different open reading frames (ORF), segments of DNA containing a start and stop codon that can translate into possible proteins.  However, the reading frame containing the longest ORF is most often the only one used when a cell transcribes a DNA segment or gene.  

User Experience
StarORF users can first transcribe a DNA sequence into RNA and then translate it into all the potential ORFs encoded within each of the six possible translation frames.  This allows users to indentify the translation frame that results in the longest ORF and therefore the actual sequence of DNA within the DNA segment that encodes a protein.

StarORF is freely available to download and use. The video tutorial below gives an introduction to StarORF’s features and how to use it.