Below are more animations of DNA, RNA, and proteins in action.
Stepping back from the micro into the macro, the mass of the universe is 75% hydrogen, 23% helium, and 2% of all the heavier elements. And a lot of activities that involve these matter would pertain to their burning in nuclear furnaces called stars.
For sure the physics and chemistry of nuclear fusion in stars is amazing. But on the other hand it would appear that that process when compared to what goes on under our skin would appear drab.
Click the triangle in the middle of the screen above to play the animation.
If the intricate molecular activity at the level of just one gene is not mind-boggling enough, consider the following: there are about 25,000 genes per human cell and the human body contains about 100 trillion cells!
The animator, Drew Berry, is one of the world's leading animators in biomedical visualization. His focus is on animating the behavior and physical properties of DNA, bio-molecules and proteins.
Drew Berry describes his work:
"If a device were possible that could magnify objects 100 million times, we could directly watch the writhing, dynamic molecular world of DNA. However, even with the most advanced imaging technology, the biggest bio-molecules are resolved as static blurry shapes, with scientists relying on other techniques to determine how they interact and accomplish their roles in creating life. Drawing upon this fragmentary evidence from all fields of biomedical research, my quest is to holistically construct the most accurate, insightful visualisations of cellular and molecular worlds that have ever been produced. With clarity and detail never before seen, the animations are enlightening visual explanations of how cells, DNA and bio-molecules perform the essential tasks at the basis of life.
"Each of the animations is founded on the latest scientific data sets, such as X-ray crystallography, so that details such as molecular shapes, sizes and real-time dynamics are distinctively accurate. Through the animations, an audience can be placed face-to-face with a neuron pulsing with electric messages, or inside an artery to view the rush of blood cells, or hover above the growing knot of flesh in a tumour.If a device were possible that could magnify objects 100 million times, we could directly watch the writhing, dynamic molecular world of DNA. However, even with the most advanced imaging technology, the biggest bio-molecules are resolved as static blurry shapes, with scientists relying on other techniques to determine how they interact and accomplish their roles in creating life. Drawing upon this fragmentary evidence from all fields of biomedical research, my quest is to holistically construct the most accurate, insightful visualisations of cellular and molecular worlds that have ever been produced. With clarity and detail never before seen, the animations are enlightening visual explanations of how cells, DNA and bio-molecules perform the essential tasks at the basis of life.
"Each of the animations is founded on the latest scientific data sets, such as X-ray crystallography, so that details such as molecular shapes, sizes and real-time dynamics are distinctively accurate. Through the animations, an audience can be placed face-to-face with a neuron pulsing with electric messages, or inside an artery to view the rush of blood cells, or hover above the growing knot of flesh in a tumour."
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