Computer Graphics and Computational Biochemistry

Terry Bennet
Craig Green
Leesa Peery
Nancy Siler
Kerry Townsend

Mentor: Loren Hauser

Facilitator: Brian Hingerty

Our group focused on studying advances in nanoscience, particularly in nanotechnology, and the computer animation of macromolecules. We opted to use a bit of fiction in our presentation, enabling us to incorporate both fields of study in a cohesive and entertaining manner while introducing the audience to available molecular animation software like Protein Explorer.

The premise of the final project centered around a lactose-intolerant lab mouse, Chucky Cheeseless, whose mother had been exposed to nanoparticles that changed the DNA code within her germ cells. The scientists at the “Mouse House” endeavor to explain to Chucky why he is lactose intolerant, which necessitates use of traditional and computerized models of the lactose-lactase complex.

Computer Graphics and Computational Biochemistry photos