Thus, here we set out to determine whether draft sequence data are adequate for the computational prediction of DNA and protein diagnostic signatures. By a 'signature' we mean a short region of sequence that is sufficient to uniquely identify an organism down to the species level, without false negatives due to strain variation or false positives due to cross reaction with close phylogenetic relatives. In addition, for DNA signatures, we require that the signature be suitable for a TaqMan reaction (e.g. composed of two primers and a probe of the desired T m s). Limited funds and facilities in which to sequence biothreat pathogens mean that decision makers must choose wisely which and how many organisms to sequence. Money and time saved as a result of draft rather than finished sequencing enables more target organisms, more isolates of the target and more near neighbors (NNs) of the target to be sequenced. However, if draft data do not facilitate the generation of highquality signatures for detection, the tradeoff of quantity over quality will not be worth it.