Visual presentation of complete genomic DNA sequences, and its applicationto identification of gene-coding regions

A new method is described for printing nucleotide sequences by assembling s quare microcells, representing nucleotides, into blocks, and by differentia ting micro-cells following a color code, a gray scale, etc., corresponding to the four types of nucleotides. By printing micro-cells, whose sides are close to 250 mu m, using a laser printer, the complete sequence of a genome of the size close to 1 M bases can be printed in the space of full size of A4, without loosing any original information. By enlarging the print using a magnifying glass or a photo-copy machine, the original sequence can be r econstituted, visually or mechanically. Overall and regional characteristic s of genomes (e.g distribution of gene-coding regions) can be analyzed usin g a plot of this type. The scheme for classifying micro-cells can be modifi ed, in order to present different types of information such as distribution of purines and pyrimidines or that of different types of dinucleotide comb inations through the genome.