Structural biology meets typography: using protein structures to inspire creative expression and connect diverse audiences
Proteins are complex molecular machines with specific structures that determine their function. Advances in structural bioinformatics and visualization have expanded access to molecular data, most notably through the Protein Data Bank (PDB). This perspective explores the intersection between structu...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2025-05-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Bioinformatics |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fbinf.2025.1589122/full |
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| _version_ | 1849313587135250432 |
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| author | Leonora Martínez-Núñez |
| author_facet | Leonora Martínez-Núñez |
| author_sort | Leonora Martínez-Núñez |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Proteins are complex molecular machines with specific structures that determine their function. Advances in structural bioinformatics and visualization have expanded access to molecular data, most notably through the Protein Data Bank (PDB). This perspective explores the intersection between structural biology and typography, integrating a protein alphabet with the 36 Days of Type design project. Using ChimeraX, Blender and Molecular Nodes, 3D molecular models were processed, stylized, and shared on social media under the #36daysoftype hashtag, which led to engagement across a diverse audience. This work was also presented at VIZBI 2024 conference and influenced the VIZBI 2025 conference logo design. This project frames the role of scientific illustration and visual arts in connecting disciplines, boosting public engagement, and encouraging interdisciplinary collaboration, while also inspiring future applications like biology-inspired typography to enhance scientific literacy. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-6e7f849a39e34bcea9705a049c2d66eb |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2673-7647 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-05-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Bioinformatics |
| spelling | doaj-art-6e7f849a39e34bcea9705a049c2d66eb2025-08-20T03:52:43ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Bioinformatics2673-76472025-05-01510.3389/fbinf.2025.15891221589122Structural biology meets typography: using protein structures to inspire creative expression and connect diverse audiencesLeonora Martínez-NúñezProteins are complex molecular machines with specific structures that determine their function. Advances in structural bioinformatics and visualization have expanded access to molecular data, most notably through the Protein Data Bank (PDB). This perspective explores the intersection between structural biology and typography, integrating a protein alphabet with the 36 Days of Type design project. Using ChimeraX, Blender and Molecular Nodes, 3D molecular models were processed, stylized, and shared on social media under the #36daysoftype hashtag, which led to engagement across a diverse audience. This work was also presented at VIZBI 2024 conference and influenced the VIZBI 2025 conference logo design. This project frames the role of scientific illustration and visual arts in connecting disciplines, boosting public engagement, and encouraging interdisciplinary collaboration, while also inspiring future applications like biology-inspired typography to enhance scientific literacy.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fbinf.2025.1589122/fullprotein structuremolecular visualizationscientific outreachstructural biology3D modellingmolecular data |
| spellingShingle | Leonora Martínez-Núñez Structural biology meets typography: using protein structures to inspire creative expression and connect diverse audiences Frontiers in Bioinformatics protein structure molecular visualization scientific outreach structural biology 3D modelling molecular data |
| title | Structural biology meets typography: using protein structures to inspire creative expression and connect diverse audiences |
| title_full | Structural biology meets typography: using protein structures to inspire creative expression and connect diverse audiences |
| title_fullStr | Structural biology meets typography: using protein structures to inspire creative expression and connect diverse audiences |
| title_full_unstemmed | Structural biology meets typography: using protein structures to inspire creative expression and connect diverse audiences |
| title_short | Structural biology meets typography: using protein structures to inspire creative expression and connect diverse audiences |
| title_sort | structural biology meets typography using protein structures to inspire creative expression and connect diverse audiences |
| topic | protein structure molecular visualization scientific outreach structural biology 3D modelling molecular data |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fbinf.2025.1589122/full |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT leonoramartineznunez structuralbiologymeetstypographyusingproteinstructurestoinspirecreativeexpressionandconnectdiverseaudiences |