How should nucleotide sequences be represented in patent applications?

According to MPEP 2412.05(b), nucleotide sequences in patent applications filed on or after July 1, 2022, must be represented as follows:

• A single strand, in the 5′ to 3′ direction from left to right
• Using only lower-case letters
• The first nucleotide is residue position number 1
• Numbering is continuous throughout the sequence

As stated in the MPEP, “A nucleotide sequence must be represented in the manner described in paragraphs 11–12 of WIPO Standard ST.26.” This means that designations like 5′ and 3′ should not be included in the sequence itself.

To learn more:

• nucleotide sequences
• patent applications
• WIPO Standard ST.26
• sequence representation