Figure 1.
4-bit binary representation for both CS and HS/Hp glycan disaccharides. Each bit is turned on (assigned 1) if a modification is present and off (assigned 0) if the R-group is a hydrogen. Bit 2 represents R2 which has an acetyl modification instead of a hydrogen for an off-bit assignment. In the case of HS where the free-amine is possible, a different numeral can be used to represent the absence of SO3 and acetylation. Additional bits can be introduced so serve as negative control bits as well as a representation for the uronic sugar stereochemistry.