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A Protein in the palm of your hand through augmented reality
Author(s) -
Berry Colin,
Board Jason
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
biochemistry and molecular biology education
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.34
H-Index - 39
eISSN - 1539-3429
pISSN - 1470-8175
DOI - 10.1002/bmb.20805
Subject(s) - computer science , augmented reality , personalization , computer graphics (images) , human–computer interaction , software , space (punctuation) , computer vision , artificial intelligence , multimedia , world wide web , programming language , operating system
Understanding of proteins and other biological macromolecules must be based on an appreciation of their 3‐dimensional shape and the fine details of their structure. Conveying these details in a clear and stimulating fashion can present challenges using conventional approaches and 2‐dimensional monitors and projectors. Here we describe a method for the production of 3‐D interactive images of protein structures that can be manipulated in real time through the use of augmented reality software. Users first see a real‐time image of themselves using the computer's camera, then, when they hold up a trigger image, a model of a molecule appears automatically in the video. This model rotates and translates in space in response to movements of the trigger card. The system described has been optimized to allow customization for the display of user‐selected structures to create engaging, educational visualizations to explore 3‐D structures. © 2014 by The International Union of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 42(5):446–449, 2014.