Opening an AB1 File

The AB1 file type is primarily associated with Sequencing Analysis Software.

AB1	File extension: AB1
	File type:	DNA electropherogram file

What is an AB1 file

AB1 files mostly belong to Sequencing Analysis Software by Applied Biosystems. AB1 files are classified as DNA Electropherogram files and are used in the DNA sequencing analysis.

Usage: AB1 files contain information pertaining to DNA sequence electropherogram including some raw data coupled with some additional information. The raw data from DNA sequencers is sent for analysis using dedicated algorithms termed as basecallers. This results in storing the resulting electropherogram data in an AB1 file. In order to analyze the data in the AB1 file, relevant software applications are needed. There are many options to choose from, some of them are free as well. It is suggested to choose software that can also show the raw sequence data present in an AB1 file along with the electropherogram as it can be useful in case of low quality.
Adoption: Free tools such as FinchTV (runs on Windows and Mac OS X devices) and Sequence Scanner (Windows compatible) can be used to open AB1 files to analyze AB1 files one after the other. Deeper analysis can also be performed using custom applications such as Sequencher( runs on Windows and Macintosh devices) and SeqScape (Windows compatible and can be open on Mac systems after conversion using the Sample Conversion Utility that comes along with the software.)

How do you open AB1 files?

You need a suitable software like Sequencing Analysis Software to open an AB1 file. Without proper software you will receive a Windows message "How do you want to open this file?" or "Windows cannot open this file" or a similar Mac/iPhone/Android alert. If you cannot open your AB1 file correctly, try to right-click or long-press the file. Then click "Open with" and choose an application. You can also display a AB1 file directly in the browser:. Just drag the file onto this browser window and drop it.

Online AB1 Text Viewer

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Programs that open and convert AB1 files:

Sequencing Analysis Software by Applied Biosystems
See the previous paragraphs to learn more about the main application. AB1 files are often referred to as Sequencing Analysis Software data files because this type of file is primarily created or used by this software.
BioEdit (DNA electropherogram file) by Tom Hall
BioEdit is a free software that allows scientists to manipulate biological sequences. It can work with various formats of DNA data, including AB1 files. An AB1 file contains a DNA electropherogram generated using the Sequencing Analysis Software from Applied Biosystems. AB1 files use the ABIF file format. This file format is classified as Data. Related links: BioEdit Download Link, BioEdit Review
Chromas (DNA electropherogram file) by Technelysium
Chromas is a free chromatogram viewer and editor by Technelysium. It allows users to import various formats of DNA sequencing data, including AB1 files. An AB1 file contains a DNA electropherogram generated using the Sequencing Analysis Software from Applied Biosystems. AB1 files use the ABIF file format. Technelysium also provides a software, ChromasPro, for assembly of sequence reads into contigs. This file format is classified as Data. Related links: Review of Chromas in Journal of Microbiology & Biology Education, Use Chroma to Convert AB1 Files to FASTA
SnapGene (DNA electropherogram file) by GSL Biotech
SnapGene is a software that allows scientists to plan, visualize and document molecular biology procedures, such as DNA cloning and PCR simulation. It can work with various formats of DNA data, including AB1 files. An AB1 file contains a DNA electropherogram generated using the Sequencing Analysis Software from Applied Biosystems. AB1 files use the ABIF file format. This file format is classified as Data. Related links: SnapGene User Guide, SnapGene Video Tutorials

AB1 file format:

To view or edit AB1 files you need to know the file format, because it determines how the data in this file is stored. The initial characters of a file are called signature, sometimes also referred to as "magic bytes". The signature can be used to infer the file format. If the file extension does not match the file format, double-clicking on the file will cause an error upon opening. Knowledge is power - this also applies when dealing with unknown or faulty files. Below you will find our evaluation of the AB1 files:

The AB1 file extension is very common and predominantly uses a uniform format. The following file formats are most commonly found in AB1 files:

98% of all AB1 files belong to ABIF - Applied Biosystems Inc. The content consists of illegible binary data, which can only be read and interpreted by the associated programs. The files are 200 KB to 330 KB in size, with a median of 300 KB. It is a modern file type. The files contain the following words: ABIF, etdir, CPUBoard, ArraySize, UnitID and ECPU550. Files like these are sometimes connected to forward, base, primer, premix, group, sample, airola and atgc.

All other AB1 files (2%) have different formats. Files like these are sometimes linked to premixed, promoter, pjetf, control, added, plate or user. Just click the "Choose your .ab1 file to analyze" button on this page to find out what your AB1 file is.

Technical Data for AB1 File Extension

File classification:

Data

Related files:

abi, seq, zip, ab, fasta, fsta, scf, sequence, abl, patient-01, sqd, 1, api, fastq, gb, rar, dna, txt, fas, fa

The following listing is compiled from the database produced by the 'Associate This!' program, selected data from the main FILExt database and file extension information submitted by users.

ProgramID: ABIF File Type 1
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\APPLIE~1\PRIMER~1\PrimerExpress.exe %1

an ab1 DNA electropherogram file is a special file format by Applied Biosystems and should only be edited and saved with the appropriate software.

How to solve problems with AB1 files

Associate the AB1 file extension with the correct application.
Update your software that should actually open dna electropherogram files. Because only the current version supports the latest AB1 file format. Search, therefore, e.g. on the Applied Biosystems manufacturer website after an available Sequencing Analysis Software update.
To make sure that your AB1 file is not corrupted or virus-infected, get the file again and scan it with Google's virustotal.com.
Click here to open your .AB1 file online - secure, fast, and no downloads needed.