Multiple Sequence Alignment
Multiple Sequence Alignment (MSA) is a computational method used to align three or more biological sequences, such as DNA, RNA, or protein sequences. The goal of MSA is to identify regions of similarity that may indicate functional, structural, or evolutionary relationships among the sequences. By aligning these sequences, researchers can better understand the biological significance of specific regions.
MSA is commonly used in fields like bioinformatics and molecular biology to analyze genetic variations and evolutionary patterns. Tools and algorithms, such as Clustal Omega and MAFFT, facilitate the alignment process, allowing scientists to visualize and interpret the relationships among the sequences effectively.