The algorithm

The algorithm
A flash drive found in a terrarium contains the algorithm.
First mentioned:	Don't Look Back
Current status:	Two known copies, one in Chandra's office and one held by Mohinder Suresh

The algorithm appears to be a complex mathematical formula which can be used to locate evolved humans.

About

Don't Look Back

Mohinder tells Eden that he believes his father was working on a formula to locate humans with special abilities. Later, Eden discovers a USB flash drive half-buried in the gravel of the lizard Mohinder's terrarium. Mohinder plugs it into his father's laptop and the algorithm appears.

One Giant Leap

Initially excited by the discovery, Mohinder has become frustrated by his inability to understand the algorithm, which he now believes to be gibberish.

Seven Minutes to Midnight

Mohinder Suresh returns to Chennai, India to attend his father's funeral. Later, he goes to his father's office at Chennai University to gather up his father's possessions. Mohinder discovers the algorithm scrolling across the computer screen. Mohinder accidentally bumps the mouse, and the prompt "Do You Want to Quit?" appears.

Homecoming

The algorithm is still scrolling on Chandra's computer screen. Ultimately, Mohinder responds to the prompt by selecting "No", and is asked for a password. After a few tries, he enters "Shanti", his dead sister's name. At once, the algorithm vanishes, and is replaced by a list of identified evolved humans.

Notes

A mysterious algorithm, believed by Mohinder to be a key to locating evolved humans.

• The entire algorithm seems to be made up of DNA base pairs; namely (A) adenine, (T) thymine, (C) cytosine, and (G) guanine, with dashes (-) standing in for missing sequences.
• Within the DNA base-pair sequences of which the algorithm is composed, the blank areas form the image of the mysterious symbol.