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 polypeptide chain is produced from a ribosome during translation.
2. This chain floats out into the cytoplasm (or periplasm) and begins to fold.
3. The chain folds into a functional stable protein.
4. H+ ions (due to pH) come and interact with the side chains of the protein.
5. The protein turns inside-out, exposing its hydrophobic sides. It is not stable.
6. Hydrophobic unstable proteins are attracted to one another, joining together to minimalize the hydrophobicity of the main body.
7. This process continues as more unstable proteins are attracted to this growing insoluble mass. This is an inclusion body.

Stay tuned to see this animation up and running!