17 Dec
2003
17 Dec
'03
11:17 p.m.
VACCINIA@uncvx1.oit.unc.edu says:
There are four base pair combinations, but HUGO (Human Genome Organization) has elected to use 15 letter symbols in it's representation of the genome coding sequence (X is any base, for instance). 15 symbols, 1 byte.
15 symbols, HALF a byte (actually a touch less.) One nybble can express 16 possible symbols (or one Hex digit, or whatever.) Plus, of course, the genome is highly compressable -- lots of repeated sequences, especially in interons. Perry