Genome-Based Bioinformatic Prediction of Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) Epitopes

Over the last 12 years, a large amount of knowledge has been accumulated on various aspects of Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) molecules. In conjunction, numerous algorithms and tools have been developed to screen protein molecules for these MHC receptor sites. By combining these computational tools and databases with genomic sequence information that is now widely available for a vast range of organisms, it is possible to screen whole genomes for MHC epitopes. By prescreening these genomes, it allows the researcher to narrow down possible protein targets for further analysis by traditional tools such as gene knockouts and animal efficacy studies.