Frequently Asked Questions

  1. Where can I get AB-BLAST?
  2. Is AB-BLAST free for academic use?
  3. Where can I get WU-BLAST?
  4. Is AB-BLAST compatible with my computer system?
  5. Can I still use my previously licensed copy of WU-BLAST?
  6. Does my WU-BLAST license permit me to use AB-BLAST?
  7. Can you answer my question about how to use WU-BLAST?
  1. Where can I get AB-BLAST?

    Visit http://blast.advbiocomp.com/licensing for licensing instructions.

  2. Is AB-BLAST free for academic use?

    No, contrary to some third party postings and publications, AB-BLAST is not free for academic or nonprofit use. A no-cost Personal Use License is available for AB-BLAST Personal Edition, but the Personal Use License carries significant restrictions that make it incompatible with traditional academic/nonprofit use.

  3. Where can I get WU-BLAST?

    The modern WU-BLAST is no longer available. AB-BLAST is the present and future BLAST.

    An obsolete version 2.0a19 of WU-BLAST from 1998, is available here. Please note that this old version is buggy, slow, limited in capacity, scales poorly, and lacks many features added over the last decade+. This obsolete version is not compatible with RepeatMasker.

  4. Is AB-BLAST compatible with my computer system?

    AB-BLAST runs on POSIX-compliant platforms only — including Linux 2.4, Linux 2.6, and Mac OS X. A more descriptive listing of the supported platforms is available here. (Microsoft Windows is not POSIX-compliant).

    If you currently use WU-BLAST 2.0, upgrading to AB-BLAST should be straight forward. We work closely with the developers of RepeatMasker to maintain compatibility with this important tool.

  5. Can I still use my previously licensed copy of WU-BLAST?

    Yes, indeed, you may continue using your copy of WU-BLAST, but only in accordance with the terms of your license.

    The acquisition of rights to WU-BLAST by Advanced Biocomputing, LLC, has no bearing on previous licenses or license contracts. Academic/nonprofit licenses to WU-BLAST are perpetual, but all commercial licenses of WU-BLAST have expired and must be renegotiated to maintain the right-to-use.

    Please note: WU-BLAST remains copyrighted and any redistribution without the express prior written approval of the copyright holder is strictly prohibited.

  6. Does my WU-BLAST license permit me to use AB-BLAST?

    No, a WU-BLAST license only covers the use of WU-BLAST. To use AB-BLAST, you will need to obtain a license specifically covering AB-BLAST.

  7. Can you answer my question about how to use WU-BLAST?

    No, we're sorry, but WU-BLAST is no longer supported. Support for BLAST is confined to AB-BLAST and helping users who wish to transition from WU-BLAST to AB-BLAST.