Tangible Interfaces for Research in Molecular Biology

描述：(申请人提供)本项目的目标是为计算研究提供一个创新和有效的用户界面 结构分子生物学。通过在 分子建模、自动制造和增强现实领域，我们将 创建有形的分子模型，提供直观而有效的联系 在科学家和计算机之间。我们将测试这一功能的实用性 用于研究和协作活动的界面。以下活动 将进行以下工作： 1.将创建一个软件环境，以允许设计和规范 灵活的多分辨率有形分子模型，体现了 理化特性。 2.有形的分子模型将自动从这些 规格采用先进的CAD/CAM算法和软件相结合 分层制造技术。 3.将与有形模型的操纵和交互集成在一起 通过跟踪和计算分子生物学环境 基于增广的物理和虚拟分子模型配准 现实技术。将生成多模式交互数据输出，以 促进研究和协作。 4.实施客座研究员计划。“小项目”方法 将测试软件和硬件的实用性和可用性，并促进 分子生物学研究进展。 随着结构和基因组数据的普及，分子生物学已经 成为一项由人类引导、计算机辅助的努力。这台计算机帮助 人类在两个方面的基本功能：在探索科学数据时， 寻找和检验科学假说；并与 两个或更多的科学家，以分享知识和专业知识。随着数据库的增长， 结构和流程模型变得更加复杂，并且随着软件的临近 变得更加多样化，对数字信息的访问和处理 对于分子生物学的研究来说，这是一个越来越关键的问题。卓有成效的 分子生物学的计算机接口将促进药物研究 设计、蛋白质工程和生命分子的基础研究 机械设备。

DESCRIPTION: (provided by applicant) The goal of this project is to produce an innovative and effective user-interface for computational research in structural molecular biology. Through an interdisciplinary collaboration in the fields of molecular modeling, auto-fabrication, and augmented reality we will create tangible molecular models to provide an intuitive and effective link between the scientist and the computer. We will test the utility of this interface for research and collaborative activities. The following activities will be undertaken: 1. A software environment will be created to allow design and specification of flexible multi-resolution tangible molecular models that embody relevant physico-chemical characteristics. 2. Tangible molecular models will be automatically fabricated from such specifications using advanced CAD/CAM algorithms and software coupled to layered fabrication technologies. 3. Manipulation of and interaction with the tangible models will be integrated with the computational molecular biological environment by tracking and registration of the physical and virtual molecular models using augmented reality technology. Multi-modal interactive data output will be generated to facilitate research and collaboration. 4. A visiting researcher program will be implemented. A Mini-project" approach will test the software and hardware for utility and usability as well as foster progress in molecular biological research. With the prevalence of structural and genomic data, molecular biology has become a human-guided, computer-assisted endeavor. The computer assists the essential human function in two ways: in exploration of scientific data, searching for and testing scientific hypotheses; and in collaboration between two or more scientists, to share knowledge and expertise. As databases grow, as structure and process models become more complex, and as software approaches become more diverse, access and manipulation of digital information is increasingly a critical issue for research in molecular biology. An effective computer interface to molecular biology will facilitate research in drug design, protein engineering, and fundamental research into life's molecular machinery.