For our animation project, we are using Maya, a 3D graphics and animation program provided to us by Autodesk, which is a sponsor of iGEM this year. We intend to create an animation visualizing what the process of inclusion body formation might look like. The basis of this animation will be the reactions in our proposed MATLAB model. We believe this animation will help students in iGEM visualize and understand the process behind inclusion body formation. A dynamic visual catches people's attention and shows things as they happen, rather than showing static intermediate images on a diagram.

This is what we hope to show:

1. A misfolded protein forms, exposing hydrophobic side chains.
2. A nucleus of aggregation is formed by a collection of these misfolded proteins sticking together.
3. More misfolded protein become attracted to the nucleus, attempting to "cover up" hydrophobic ends.
4. This process continues until a large inclusion body forms in the cell.

Stay tuned to see this animation up and running!