Manufacturing proteins with biomolecular machines

Contact Computational Visualization Center (CVC) Institute of Computational Engineering and Sciences, and Department of Computer Sciences University of Texas at Austin Austin, Texas 78712 USA +1.512.471.8870 +1.512.471.0982 fax ccv@ices.utexas.edu www.ices.utexas.edu/CVC All proteins in all cellular organisms arise through the process of translation. In this process, ribosomes (massive molecular machines) convert excerpts of the genetic code (mRNAs) into peptide chains that are subsequently folded into functionally active proteins responsible for executing a wide array of tasks. Past and present research has partially elucidated the complex structure and choreagraphy of the ribosome during translation. We attempt to create a biologically illuminating and visually attractive animation that incorporates current understanding of the protein synthesis process. Using e. Coli as our model, we highlight the specific nucleotides and amino acids that participate in or catalyze particular biochemical reactions.