Highly compact 2D graphical representation of DNA sequences

Abstract

Most 2D graphical representations of primary DNA sequences, while offering visual geometrical patterns for depicting sequences, do require considerable space if enough details of such representations are to be visible. In this contribution, we consider a highly compact graphical representation of DNA, which allows visual inspection and numerical characterization of DNA sequences having a large number of nucleic acid bases. The approach is illustrated on the DNA sequences of the first exon of human β-globin. The same graphical approach not only allows one to depict differences in composition within a single DNA, but makes possible graphical representation of protein sequences, which have hitherto evaded similar 2D visual representations.

Keywords:

• 2D representation
• DNA sequence
• Graphs
• Geometrical patterns
• Human β-globin

Acknowledgements

The authors thank the Ministry of Science and Technology of the Republic of Slovenia for supporting this work under contracts.