Developer: DNASTAR, Inc.
Supported platforms: Windows and macOS (64-bit; SeqMan Ultra replaced legacy 32-bit SeqMan Pro for modern macOS and Windows)
Download: https://www.dnastar.com/software/lasergene/
Features
View Quality scores
Yes. Displays Phred/KB quality values and uses DNASTAR’s proprietary Trace Evidence algorithm (combining peak shape and quality scores) for consensus calling in SeqMan Ultra.
View raw data
Requires trace files that already contain called bases (ABI files without base calls cannot be opened). Within assembled and unassembled views, four-colour trace tracks expand synchronously beneath reads.
Assembly
Yes. De novo and reference-guided Sanger contig assembly via SeqMan Ultra, primer walking and gap-closure tools, plasmid read confirmation in SeqBuilder Pro, and broader genomic workflows in SeqMan NGen.
Input file formats
Format support varies by application and licence. Molecular Biology includes SeqMan Ultra for Sanger work (.ab1, .abi, .abd, .scf SCF3, FASTA, FASTQ, GenBank, and .sqd projects), while Genomics adds SeqMan NGen and broader genomic/Phred inputs.
Output file formats
FASTA, VCF variants, tabular variant/assembly reports, and PDF, PowerPoint, or BMP graphics (BAM export is available through SeqMan NGen; does not export edited .ab1 or .scf trace files).
Trimming
Yes. Automated quality-score trimming and vector removal against a large built-in vector database, plus draggable manual trim handles that remain reversible.
Integrated Blast
Yes. Supports NCBI BLAST searches and local database searches from Lasergene applications.
Open multiple windows
Yes, including Strategy coverage view, Alignment/Chromatogram panes, and SeqBuilder Pro plasmid maps.
Edit bases
Yes, with direct consensus override, base editing, and mutation introduction.
ABI limits (regions outside of clear range region are displayed in gray)
Import and display of instrument ABI clear-range tags is not confirmed; Lasergene provides its own reversible trim markers and Strategy coverage views.
Other functions
- Trace Evidence consensus weighting rather than simple majority voting
- Integrated MegAlign Pro multiple alignments, SeqBuilder Pro cloning, and primer walking workflows
- NGS and Sanger hybrid analysis in the full Lasergene Genomics suite
Cost
Paid 12-month annual subscriptions (perpetual licences phased out; 14-day free trial available). Published academic/non-profit/government annual rates are $780 USD/year (Lasergene Molecular Biology, including SeqMan Ultra and SeqBuilder Pro), $1,420 USD/year (Molecular Biology + Protein), and $2,840 USD/year (Full Suite). Published commercial annual rates are $1,900 USD/year (Molecular Biology), $3,165 USD/year (Molecular Biology + Protein), and $5,200 USD/year (complete Lasergene package); student, network, and site configurations are quoted separately.
Comments
DNASTAR Lasergene (specifically SeqMan Ultra) is a long-standing commercial suite alongside Geneious and Sequencher. Note that modern macOS users should rely on 64-bit SeqMan Ultra rather than legacy SeqMan Pro, and use a separate basecaller such as PeakTrace Online Pro if you need to process uncalled raw .ab1 files.
Return to the Trace Viewers overview or check trace quality online with QualTrace III Online.