Question 1

Can I import my current files?

Accepted Answer

Yes, drag and drop (formats: .dna, .gb, .gbk, .fasta, .geneious, .sbol, .ab1) into Photo51. Your folder structure will be preserved. You can also use the Import button in the ribbon.

Question 2

What is a Team?

Accepted Answer

A Team allows you to collaborate with others—your lab, a project group, or a Team Each Team shares access to their file inventory. Subscribed members have full access. Non-subscribed members use the Free View-Only plan.

Question 3

How can I create a Team?

Accepted Answer

You can access Teams from both your desktop and browser. From the desktop application, click Manage Teams in your files directory on the left. This opens the browser where you can create and manage Teams. You can also go to fearlessleague.com and click My Teams in the left menu. 
You can create multiple Teams at once. Share unique URLs to invite members or add members directly to a Team.

Question 4

How do I add members to a Team?

Accepted Answer

Team management is done in the browser. Go to My Teams in the left menu and invite members by email.

Question 5

Can I be a member of multiple Teams?

Accepted Answer

Yes

Question 6

Can I make a Team if I have a View-Only subscription?

Accepted Answer

Yes. You’ll be able to view, share, and download files – but not edit them.

Question 7

How can I share files?

Accepted Answer

You can share files from within the Photo51 application. Search for a registered user by name. Share with non-users by entering their email address. They’ll be prompted to sign up. Upon sign-up, they’ll receive a free trial and full access to the shared files.

Question 8

Can I share a file with a user who does not have a subscription?

Accepted Answer

Yes. They’ll automatically be enrolled in the free View-Only plan after the trial. They can view your files but not edit them.

Question 9

Can I share a file with someone who does not have a Photo51 account?

Accepted Answer

Yes. You can share files from Photo51 by entering their email address. After signing up, they’ll receive a free trial and have full access to the shared files.

Question 10

What does the free trial period include?

Accepted Answer

You’ll get full access to Photo51 during your trial—no restrictions.

Question 11

What is the view-only Plan?

Accepted Answer

After your free trial ends, you’ll automatically switch to the free View-Only plan. You can still view, share, and download files—but not edit them.

Question 12

Can I create a Team without a subscription?

Accepted Answer

Yes. But only members with a paid subscription will have full access to Photo51 features. Others will remain on the View-Only plan.

Question 13

How do I join a Team?

Accepted Answer

You’ll need to be invited. Once you accept, you’ll occupy one of that Team’s seats. If you're invited to multiple Teams, you choose which Team’s seat to occupy.

Question 14

I have an Individual subscription and want to join a Team. What happens to my subscription?

Accepted Answer

You can choose whether to transfer your subscription to the Team or keep your Individual subscription.

Question 15

I’m already part of a Team and got invited to another. What happens to my subscription?

Accepted Answer

You choose which Team’s seat to occupy. If you’re unsure which to select, contact the Team administrator.

Question 16

Can I belong to more than one Team?

Accepted Answer

Yes. You can join and create as many Teams as you like. You’ll occupy only one Team’s seat for your subscription at a time.

Question 17

What happens when my subscription or trial expires?

Accepted Answer

Your account becomes View-Only. You can still view, share, download, and export your files anytime.

Question 18

When can I cancel?

Accepted Answer

Anytime. If billed monthly, your full access continues until the end of the current billing period.
Example: If you’re billed on the 1st and cancel on June 5, you’ll retain access until June 30.

Question 19

How are Team Subscriptions charged?

Accepted Answer

Team Subscriptions require a minimum of 2 seats and are billed annually. The Team admin invites users, and each accepted invite occupies one seat.
If you're invited to join and already have a subscription, you can choose whether to switch billing to that Team or keep your current plan. No matter which paid subscription type you use, you’ll have full feature access.

Question 20

What’s the difference between an Individual Subscription and a Team Subscription?

Accepted Answer

Individual Subscription: You manage and pay for your own plan. Team Subscription: A group pays. Members occupy a seat and don’t pay individually. If you’re part of multiple Teams or subscriptions, you can select which one pays for your access under My Subscription. 
If unsure, check with your Team admin.

Question 21

What is new in Version 3.0.39?

Accepted Answer

Version 3.0.39 introduces performance improvements, bug fixes, and enhanced sequence visualization tools.

Question 22

How can I add primers to my sequence?

Accepted Answer

You can add, remove, and manage your primers easily from the sequence view panel. Just select the region and click "Add Primer".

Question 23

Can I anneal oligos in Photo51?

Accepted Answer

Yes, Photo51 supports annealing oligos directly onto your sequence to simulate primer binding.

Question 24

How can I import multiple primers?

Accepted Answer

You can import or export multiple primers at once by using a standard CSV or Excel file format.

Question 25

Is it possible to import primers from CSV?

Accepted Answer

You can import or export multiple primers at once by using a standard CSV or Excel file format.

Question 26

Is it possible to simulate PCR?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely! You can simulate PCR reactions, design mutagenic primers, and automatically generate optimal primers for your target.

Question 27

How do I design PCR mutagenesis experiments?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely! You can simulate PCR reactions, design mutagenic primers, and automatically generate optimal primers for your target.

Question 28

Is it possible to simulate gel electrophoresis?

Accepted Answer

Yes, you can simulate gel electrophoresis and export high-quality gel images for your records.

Question 29

Can I export gel images?

Accepted Answer

Yes, you can simulate gel electrophoresis and export high-quality gel images for your records.

Question 30

How do I perform Gateway Cloning (BP and LR)?

Accepted Answer

Photo51 fully supports Gateway Cloning workflows, including both BP and LR reactions.

Question 31

How do I perform Gibson Assembly Cloning?

Accepted Answer

Gibson Assembly is supported. Photo51 can help you design overlapping primers to assemble multiple fragments.

Question 32

How to perform Golden Gate Cloning in Photo51?

Accepted Answer

Golden Gate Cloning is available. The software automatically detects Type IIS restriction sites and designs the appropriate overhangs.

Question 33

How can I plan HiFi assembly experiments and design the correct primers?

Accepted Answer

You can plan NEBuilder HiFi DNA Assembly experiments and easily design the necessary overlapping primers.

Question 34

How can I plan InFusion cloning experiments and design the correct primers?

Accepted Answer

In-Fusion cloning is supported, allowing you to seamlessly join DNA fragments without restriction enzyme sites.

Question 35

How can I design my restriction cloning experiments in Photo51?

Accepted Answer

You can easily plan traditional restriction cloning by selecting your enzymes and simulating the digest and ligation.

Question 36

Is TA or TOPO based cloning supported in Photo51?

Accepted Answer

Yes, TA and TOPO cloning methods are fully supported for quick insertion into vectors.

Question 37

Can I align sequences to a reference sequence?

Accepted Answer

Yes, you can align multiple sequences (like Sanger trace files) to a master reference sequence to check for mutations.

Question 38

How do I check my sanger trace files?

Accepted Answer

Yes, you can align multiple sequences (like Sanger trace files) to a master reference sequence to check for mutations.

Question 39

How can I align multiple sequences to a consensus sequence?

Accepted Answer

You can align multiple sequences using algorithms like MUSCLE to compare DNA or protein sequences together.

Question 40

Is MUSCLE v5 algorithm available in Photo51?

Accepted Answer

You can align multiple sequences using algorithms like MUSCLE to compare DNA or protein sequences together.

Question 41

Can I use the Smith-Waterman or Needleman-Wunsch algorithms to align to sequences?

Accepted Answer

Yes, you can perform pairwise alignments using standard algorithms to compare two sequences.

Question 42

Is pairwise alignment possible in Photo51?

Accepted Answer

Yes, you can perform pairwise alignments using standard algorithms to compare two sequences.

Question 43

How do I create, edit, and remove Guide RNAs?

Accepted Answer

You can effortlessly design, edit, and evaluate CRISPR guide RNAs directly on your target sequence.

Question 44

Does the genome browser include an alignment tool?

Accepted Answer

Yes, the genome browser includes a BLAT tool to quickly map sequences back to the reference genome.

Question 45

How do I navigate across the genome and search for genes of interest?

Accepted Answer

You can navigate the genome using the interactive browser, search for specific genes, and jump directly to coordinates.

Question 46

How do I load a reference genome and add data tracks?

Accepted Answer

You can load custom reference genomes and import annotation data tracks (like BED or GFF files).

Question 47

How do I edit, move or delete tracks in the genome browser?

Accepted Answer

You can easily customize, reorder, or hide genome browser tracks using the track management panel.

Question 48

Can I save sequences from the genome browser?

Accepted Answer

Yes, you can export high-resolution images of your genome browser view or save the underlying sequences.

Question 49

How do I access Photo51 from my browser?

Accepted Answer

You can access the cloud version of Photo51 simply by logging in through your web browser.

Question 50

How do I access and install the Photo51 desktop application?

Accepted Answer

The desktop app can be downloaded directly from your account dashboard for Windows or Mac.

Question 51

How do I change my password?

Accepted Answer

You can update your password at any time by navigating to your Account Settings and selecting Security.

Question 52

How do I see which devices have logged into my account?

Accepted Answer

You can review and manage all active sessions from the Security tab in your Account Settings.

Question 53

How do I setup two factor authentication for Photo51?

Accepted Answer

You can easily enable 2FA in your Account Settings for enhanced security.

Question 54

How do I edit my account information?

Accepted Answer

You can update your profile, email address, and billing details directly from the Account Settings page.

Question 55

How do I access teams in Photo51?

Accepted Answer

You can switch between your personal workspace and your team workspaces using the navigation menu.

Question 56

How do I create a team in Photo51?

Accepted Answer

You can create a new team from your dashboard to easily collaborate and share files with colleagues.

Question 57

How do I import files into teams?

Accepted Answer

You can upload files directly into your team folders, or move existing files from your personal workspace.

Question 58

How do I manage team members and permissions?

Accepted Answer

Team admins can invite members, assign roles (like Viewer or Editor), and manage permissions from the Team Settings.

Question 59

How do I get a team subscription for Photo51?

Accepted Answer

Team subscriptions allow centralized billing. You can upgrade to a team plan from the Billing page.

Question 60

How do I move files from one team to another?

Accepted Answer

You can easily drag and drop or use the "Move" command to transfer files between authorized teams.

Question 61

How do I add folders and organize my files?

Accepted Answer

You can keep your files organized by creating nested folders directly in your library view.

Question 62

How can I paste in a sequence?

Accepted Answer

You can create a new sequence from scratch by clicking "New" or simply pasting plain text DNA sequences into the app.

Question 63

How can I create a new sequence?

Accepted Answer

You can create a new sequence from scratch by clicking "New" or simply pasting plain text DNA sequences into the app.

Question 64

How do I delete or rename files and folders?

Accepted Answer

You can right-click any file or folder to rename it or move it to the trash.

FAQ

Filter by Category

File import

Can I import my current files?

Teams

What is a Team?

How can I create a Team?

How do I add members to a Team?

Can I be a member of multiple Teams?

Can I make a Team if I have a View-Only subscription?

How do I access teams in Photo51?

How do I create a team in Photo51?

How do I import files into teams?

How do I manage team members and permissions?

How do I get a team subscription for Photo51?

How do I move files from one team to another?

Sharing files

How can I share files?

Can I share a file with a user who does not have a subscription?

Can I share a file with someone who does not have a Photo51 account?

Subscriptions

What does the free trial period include?

What is the view-only Plan?

Can I create a Team without a subscription?

How do I join a Team?

I have an Individual subscription and want to join a Team. What happens to my subscription?

I’m already part of a Team and got invited to another. What happens to my subscription?

Can I belong to more than one Team?

What happens when my subscription or trial expires?

When can I cancel?

How are Team Subscriptions charged?

What’s the difference between an Individual Subscription and a Team Subscription?

Account management

How do I change my password?

How do I see which devices have logged into my account?

How do I setup two factor authentication for Photo51?

How do I edit my account information?

Installation and access

How do I access Photo51 from my browser?

How do I access and install the Photo51 desktop application?

Sequence editing

Are primers and features transferred when copy pasting?

Is it possible to copy amino acid sequences?

Can I highlight regions of my sequence?

Can I add overhangs to my sequence ends?

How do I add 5’ phosphorylation?

How do I get the reverse complement of my entire sequence?

How can I change my plasmid from circular to a linear sequence?

How do I undo changes?

Features

How do I label features in the sequence?

Can features be imported from csv?

Is it possible to import features from a spreadsheet or CSV?

Can I import features from other sequence files?

Is it possible to auto label features on a sequence?

How do I delete existing features?

Will deleting features delete the sequence?

How do I find features and Open Reading Frames (ORFs)?

Primers