Abstract: Methods and compositions for identifying novel genes that share regions of homology with known genes from target groups of genes of interest are provided. The methods comprise systematically designing oligonucleotide primers that are specific for regions of homology within the nucleotide sequences of a target group of known genes and performing successive rounds of PCR amplification of nucleic acid material from an organism of interest. The PCR steps are intended to identify and amplify nucleic acids comprising both known and novel genes. Nucleic acid molecules comprising known genes are detected and eliminated from further consideration by dot blot analysis using oligonucleotide probes specific for the known genes in the target group. Potentially novel genes are subjected to further sequence analysis to confirm novelty and assayed for biological activity.

Abstract: A parallel computer system comprising a plurality of processing elements and an input/output system interconnected by a communications network. The input/output system includes a plurality of input/output devices connected to the communications network for receiving messages from, and transmitting messages to, the processing elements over the communications network. The processing element during the storage operation generates a series of messages for transmission over the communications network to successive input/output devices. Each message includes a data item from one of a series of storage locations. The processing element generates for each stripe of a selected number of data items a check value for transmission in a message to another of the input/output devices.