PROJECT CASE STUDY / PYTHON

Restriction Site Finder

Harshit Mishra · Student project

The problem

Recognition sites and cleavage positions are related but different. This project helps locate enzyme patterns and understand where a sequence would be cut in a simplified model.

Approach

Search DNA for enzyme recognition motifs, retain multiple matches and use cleavage offsets to show cut positions. The Python project contains an expandable enzyme collection.

Worked example

Reproducible example based on the described operations; not a captured Python execution.

INPUT
CCGAATTCTT

EXPECTED OUTPUT
EcoRI recognition: GAATTC
Recognition starts at base 3
Top-strand cut: CCG | AATTCTT

Key takeaway

A motif match identifies a sequence pattern; it does not validate a laboratory digestion. Reporting both the site and cut offset makes the result easier to interpret.

Limitations

This example covers the displayed top strand only. Laboratory conditions, methylation and enzyme-specific behaviour require separate consideration. The browser playground does not run restriction-site searches.