Biological Coding Theory

DNA: Source CodeRNA: Object-FileProtein: Executable/Running Code

Slide with Channel Schematics

DNA RNA------------------------ AminoAcid->Protein

Digital world vs the RNA world

• Digital bits: 2 states (0,1)• RNA bits: 4 states (U,C,G,A)

• Digital byte: 2^8 = 256 possibilities• RNA byte: ‘Codon’ 3 digits: 4^3 = 64

• BUT: Only 20 are used – 44 left for redundancy

Decoding

UCA, UCC, UCU, UCG+ AGU, AGC‘1 bit error correction)all code Serine

=> Even if you transmit UCA and UCC arrives at decoder -> still the right result

BUT:UGG is the only combination that leads to Tryptophan

More failover preventions

• DNA Helix is redundant in itself – similar to a RAID1 system

• two copies of each chromosome