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Inspiration
Organelle View is a visualization tool that
is complementary to Organelle
DB, a genetic protein database created by Kumar
Lab in the Life
Sciences Institute at the University
of Michigan. We primarily worked with the lead scientist of
the lab, Anuj Kumar. Anuj wanted the database to have a more visual
and spatial explanation of protein localization. He also wanted
to broaden the database's audience to high schooler students and
freshman undergraduates.
Solution
We started by creating a model of a yeast cell,
the most thoroughly researched organism in the field of genetics.
This model shows the different organelle groupings of the yeast
cell. When someone searches for a protein Organelle View queries
the database, and the corresponding organelle groupings it appears
in illuminate with color. Up to four proteins can be shown at once,
allowing the user the ability to compare their potential relationships.
With Organelle View, students learn about the cell's anatomy and
its genetics.
Results
Organelle View and Organelle DB recently appeared
in Science
Magazine's NetWatch
section (Sept 29, 2006). Anuj also received an NSF grant which included
further work on Organelle View. We look forward to continuing our
work on Organelle View and complementary projects. The
next phase of the project is a searchable yeast cell animation as
well as models of other organisms.
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