A Sourcebook for Creating
Stylized Animations Visualizing IDPs for Biomedical Artists and Their Audiences
Summary
This research introduced intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs) to the medical artist community and explored the role of stylization in animation tailored to different audiences — Lay, Educational, Professional, and Investor. Using the human Estrogen Receptor A (hERa) as a model protein due to its highly disordered N-terminus domain, the study produced a sourcebook reviewing intrinsic disorder, the receptor’s structure, and seven distinct stylization concepts.
The findings highlighted the importance of aligning visual complexity and narrative context for lay audiences, providing foundational scientific understanding for educational settings, enabling clear data observation for professional communication, and balancing conceptual clarity with refined aesthetics for investor presentations. Given the complexity of IDPs, combining visual techniques like color gradients, onion skinning, ghosting, and visual metaphors proved more effective than any single approach alone.
The Problem
This project examines intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs) —flexible proteins that function without a fixed structure—and their importance in regulating complex cellular systems. Because traditional visualization methods struggle to represent their dynamic nature, the research explores animation techniques and styles to more effectively communicate these proteins to diverse audiences.
Research
Intrinsically Disordered Proteins
Intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs) are biologically active proteins that function without a fixed structure, shifting shape to carry out diverse cellular roles. Unlike traditional proteins, their flexibility allows them to adapt and interact dynamically, making them key players in cell signaling and regulation. Their prevalence and adaptability make them essential for understanding complex biological systems.
human Estrogen Receptor α (hERα)
The human Estrogen Receptor α (hERα), activated by the hormone Estrogen, is a key regulator of gene expression and is involved in many cellular processes. Its flexible N-terminal domain plays a crucial role in forming active complexes, making it a central player in gene regulation. This adaptability makes hERα both medically significant and a valuable target for therapeutic research.
Figure: hERα - 5 functional domains.
Lay Audience
To engage lay and outreach audiences, molecular visuals must simplify complex science using storytelling and familiar metaphors. Visual comparisons, like cooked pasta or knotted ropes, can effectively convey the flexible nature of intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs). For patients and caregivers, such metaphors make concepts like the estrogen receptor’s disordered regions more accessible and relevant to understanding a diagnosis or treatment.
Educational Audience
Educational molecular visuals must balance clarity and accuracy while staying accessible to varied audiences. This project presents two visualization styles of the hERα N-terminal domain: one uses color-coded structural highlights with a dynamic, vibrating effect to suggest motion; the other applies a gradient to show sequence position and includes labels to guide interpretation. Both approaches aim to make the protein’s flexible, shifting nature more understandable without overwhelming viewers.
Professional Audience
For professional audiences, molecular visualizations are streamlined to highlight key data and spatial context. Two styles of the hERα N-terminal domain use gradient coloring and opacity to show conformational changes, with one emphasizing structural alignment and the other highlighting regions of overlap. Both designs aid in comparing dynamic behavior while maintaining clarity in complex visuals.
Investor Audience
For investor audiences, visuals focus on clear, memorable storytelling that conveys product potential with minimal scientific complexity. The hERα concept uses a pink-toned palette linked to breast cancer, contrasting a textured N-terminal domain with a polished drug element to suggest therapeutic impact. Subtle visual effects highlight dynamic regions while maintaining a clean, brand-aligned presentation.
