Basic Local Alignment Search Tool

The Basic Local Alignment Search Tool (BLAST) is a computational method used in biology to find regions of similarity between sequences of DNA, RNA, or protein. When scientists have a new genetic sequence, they use BLAST to compare it against a large database of known sequences. This helps identify where the sequence might have come from or its function by finding closely related sequences. BLAST is quick and effective, providing researchers with valuable insights into genetic relationships, functions, and evolutionary history by pinpointing matching fragments within vast amounts of data.