Can anyone decode this?

JWB

CAN ANYONE DECODE THIS?

CATGACAAATTTCACCAATTCGAATAGCCGCC

This is not a trick question. In order to solve this problem you will need to be familiar with how computer memory stores digital information. You will also need to have knowledge of an extremely simple encryption method. With these at your disposal it should not take long to decode the message.

Qcmbr

HDKFHQFE-P genome sequence?

cantleave

Why would a piece of genetic code have anything to do with " how computer memory stores digital information"?

JWB

cantleave, here is a clue: base 4 - as opposed to binary/hexadecimal/octal.

cantleave

The codons are for .....

CAT = Histadine

GAC = Aspartic acid

AAA = lysine

TTT = Phenylalanine

CAC = Histadine

CAA = Glutamine

TTC = Phenylalanine

GAA = Glutamate

TAG = Termination (amber)

GCC = Alanine

JWB

cantleave, please reread my original post. This is an encoded message using the letters ACGT to form base 4 values.

cantleave

I posted the above before seeing your hint ;-)

JWB

Another hint: Each individual part of the code is a pair.

falseprophet

Yes: DNA CODE OF LIFE

JWB

falseprophet, well done!

And for those of you still wondering:

AA = _
AC = a
AG = b
AT = c

CA = d
CC = e
CG = f
CT = g

GA = h
GC = i
GG = j
GT = k

TA = l
TC = m
TG = n
TT = o

d n a _ c o d e _ o f _ l i f e

CA (d) TG (n) AC (a) AA (_)

AT (c) TT (o) CA (d) CC (e) AA (_)

TT (o) CG (f) AA (_)

TA (l) GC (i) CG (f) CC (e)

This can also be used to store numbers too in base 4:

AA = 00 (0)
AC = 01 (1)
AG = 02 (2)
AT = 03 (3)
CA = 10 (4)
CC = 11 (5)
CG = 12 (6)
CT = 13 (7)
GA = 20 (8)
GC = 21 (9)
GG = 22 (10)
GT = 23 (11)
TA = 30 (12)
TC = 31 (13)
TG = 32 (14)
TT = 33 (15)

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Here is a real world example of using actually encoding secret messages into DNA. "These messages used codons, groups of three letters which code for amino acids, to stand for 20 letters of the alphabet. As such, some substitutions (like ‘v’ for ‘u’) were necessary":

http://singularityhub.com/2010/05/24/venters-newest-synthetic-bacteria-has-secret-messages-coded-in-its-dna/

An interesting idea for synthetic data storage within DNA:
http://blog.longnow.org/02012/08/16/storing-digital-data-in-dna/

(Do you remember those 'gel packs' in Star Trek Voyager? You know, the organic ones that supplemented the main computer's memory?)

Can anyone decode this?

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