  The main objective of this paper is to solve the optimization problem that is
associated with the classification of DNA samples in PCR plates for Sanger
sequencing. To achieve this goal, we design an integer linear programming
model. Given that the real instances involve the classification of thousands of
samples and the linear model can only be solved for small instances, the paper
includes a heuristic to cope with bigger problems. The heuristic algorithm is
based on the simulated annealing technique. This algorithm obtains satisfactory
solutions to the problem in a short amount of time. It has been tested with
real data and yields improved results compared to some commercial software
typically used in (clinical) laboratories. Moreover, the algorithm has already
been implemented in the laboratory and is being successfully used.
