The size and complexity of molecular structure/function studies have increased enormously over the last 20 years, largely due to the technical advances in imaging techniques such as NMR, x-ray crystallography and electron microscopy. Structural Biology has largely focused on gaining insights into the 3-dimensional (3D) structure of molecules and using this information to understand their physical and chemical properties. Inherent in these structures is essential information concerning their function.
This has lead to the struggle to impart the knowledge required to understand the complex 3D structures of these molecules. Consequently, physical aids are rendered useless. Advances in automated technologies and computer graphics have allowed for more rapid production of physical models. While useful, these models (since these are largely 2-dimensional representations of a 3-dimensional problem) are of limited value when exploring the complexity of functional interactions of macromolecules, macromolecular assemblies and even whole systems. More recently, advances in human interface and computing technologies are providing a more tangible, natural molecular viewing and manipulation.
Our current research is being jointly completed with the collaboration of the Structural Biology Unit lead by Dr. Kim Watson. Our applications offer dynamic, three-dimensional images of structures and their spatial relationships, enabling users to move beyond "real-world" experiences that would otherwise be difficult or impossible. We believe the use of VR graphics to immerse users in the scen should stimulate their design intuition (for example, a chemist synthesizing potential drug molecules to interact with a protein target receptor molecule).
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