GRAIL is a modular expert system for the analysis and characterization of DNA sequences which facilitates the recognition of gene features such as coding regions, poly-A addition sites, potential promoters, CpG islands and repetitive DNA elements, and also constructs gene models. GenQuest allows characterization of newly obtained sequences by homology-based methods using a number of protein, DNA, and motif databases and comparison methods such as FastA, BLAST, parallel Smith-Waterman. These analyses are available to the user in graphic form in the X-window-based client-server system XGRAIL, through Mosaic interfaces, or by email server. We have recently developed versions of GRAIL which can locate the protein coding regions of DNA sequences from Escherichia coli, Drosophila melanogaster and Arabidopsis thaliana, methods for detecting and ``correcting'' potential sequence errors which make the system insensitive to indels, and a "batch" server client which users to analyze groups of short (300-400 bp) sequences for coding character and automates database searches of translations of putative coding regions. Information can be obtained by sending the word ``help'' by email to GRAIL@ornl.gov.