The MIME Type application/abi is used to indicate the presence of dnaLIMS ABI trace files and the encoding required for them. This is MIME type falls under the "application" category.

These files carry the extension ABI and are created by and for the sole use of the dnaLIMS software. The dnaLIMS software has been developed by a software development company called dnaTools. The company specializes in developing software for DNA related projects. dnaLIMS is a Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS). LIMS software applications are specially designed to help scientific study and research.

dnaLIMS is meant to help scientists with the querying and processing of DNA sequencing requests. This tool, like the others developed by the company, is platform independent. It accomplishes this by running on web browsers, namely Netscape, Safari and Internet Explorer. The browser is used to submit samples and retrieve results at the end of analysis. The browsers route the query to a UNIX web-server hosted on the local network.

dnaLIMS can be used to view, enter and retrieve sequencing requests. It can also be used to create unique user-based primer references. The administrative capabilities allow the creation and monitoring of users. Actions can also be taken on behalf of users by administrators.