title: Animating the model figure.
abstract: In all branches of scientific inquiry, researchers build models that enable them to visualize, formulate and communicate their hypotheses to others. In cell biology, our conceptual understanding of a process is typically embodied in a model figure. These visual models should ideally represent pre-existing knowledge of molecular interactions, movement, structure and localization but, in reality, they often fall short. Cell biologists have begun to look to the use of three-dimensional animation to visualize and describe complex molecular and cellular events. In addition to aiding teaching and communication, animation is emerging as a powerful tool for providing researchers with insight into the processes that they study. Two case studies focusing on the structure/function of the motor protein dynein and the structure of the centriole are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cell Biology, Harvard Medical School, 240 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA 02115, USA. janet_iwasa@hms.harvard.edu
authors.forename: Janet H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Iwasa
mesh_terms: D003585:Cell Biology / Q000193:education*; D003198:Computer Simulation; D008954:Models, Biological; D013663:Teaching