Fri, 01 May 2026 13:11:46 +0000

#### 1.875e15A bioinformatician is analyzing RNA-seq data from 36 samples, each containing an average of 28 million reads. After quality filtering, 85% of reads are retained. If each retained read requires 0.25 bytes of storage, how many gigabytes of storage are needed for the filtered reads across all samples?
With the rapid rise of precision medicine and large-scale genomic research, managing vast streams of RNA sequencing data has become critical. This particular dataset—36 samples with 28 million reads each—represents the kind of high-throughput information central to modern bioinformatics, drawing growing attention among researchers and healthcare innovators in the US. Understanding how storage demands scale is key to planning efficient data pipelines and supporting data-driven discovery. Calculating the filtered storage requirement reveals a manageable footprint within current standards. Retaining 85% of 28 million reads per sample results in approximately 23.8 million filtered reads per sample. Across 36 samples, this totals roughly 856.8 million retained reads. At 0.25 bytes per read, the total storage needed reaches about 214.2 megabytes—well within the gigabyte range. Translating bytes to gigabytes, this sample set occupies only 0.214 GB, making proper storage planning straightforward and cost-effective. This level of data volume aligns with how genomic datasets are typically handled, supporting research that informs disease insights and therapeutic development. As sequencing adoption expands, grasping such metrics remains essential for labs, bioinformaticians, and industry professionals navigating big biological data. For those interested in diving deeper, this example illustrates the scalability of RNA-seq workflows without overstating storage needs. In an era where genomic data grows exponentially, clarity on resource demands helps optimize infrastructure, reduce waste, and accelerate discovery—without compromising accuracy or accessibility. Whether building pipelines or evaluating tools, understanding these fundamentals strengthens the foundation for real-world impact in health and science.