Mathematical descriptors of DNA sequences: development and applications

Over the last few years several authors have presented various methods to assign mathematical descriptors to DNA sequences in order to quantitatively compare the sequences and determine similarities and dissimilarities between them. The plethora of different methods used have made it necessary to compare them and determine which one(s), if any, best meet the needs required to characterize DNA sequences. With the very rapid rise in available DNA sequence data and the strong need for robust quantitative techniques to determine regions of interest in these sequences, numerical characterization of DNA and RNA sequences will be of great importance in filling a part of this need.