Translation Map

Visualize open reading frames (ORFs) and translation products across all six reading frames. See start codons, stop codons, and potential protein-coding regions.

What is Translation Map?

Translation Map visualizes how DNA sequences translate into proteins across all six possible reading frames (three forward, three reverse). It highlights start codons (ATG) in green, stop codons (TAA, TAG, TGA) in red, and displays the resulting amino acid sequences. This helps identify open reading frames (ORFs) and potential coding regions.

How to Use This Tool

Visualize translation:

  1. Paste your DNA sequence
  2. View translations in all 6 reading frames
  3. Start codons shown in green
  4. Stop codons shown in red
  5. Identify longest ORFs for analysis

When to Use

This tool is useful for:

  • Finding open reading frames (ORFs)
  • Identifying potential coding regions
  • Checking all reading frames for proteins
  • Analyzing translation products
  • Comparing forward and reverse translations

Understanding Reading Frames

DNA can be read in 3 forward frames and 3 reverse frames:

  • Frame +1: Start at position 1
  • Frame +2: Start at position 2
  • Frame +3: Start at position 3
  • Frame -1: Reverse complement, position 1
  • Frame -2: Reverse complement, position 2
  • Frame -3: Reverse complement, position 3

Codon Reference

Start Codons: ATG (Met)
Stop Codons: TAA, TAG, TGA

ORF = region from start to stop
Longest ORFs often indicate genes

FAQ

Q: What is an ORF?
A: An Open Reading Frame is a sequence from a start codon (ATG) to a stop codon without internal stops.

Q: Why check all 6 frames?
A: Genes can be on either strand and in any of 3 reading frames, so all 6 must be checked.