# New Tools for Visualizing Dynamic Molecular Complexes

> **NIH NIH R35** · UTAH STATE HIGHER EDUCATION SYSTEM--UNIVERSITY OF UTAH · 2024 · $385,000

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY / ABSTRACT
Recent successes in structural and computational biology have led to an increasingly deep understanding of
the diversity of states in which molecular complexes can exist. In the cell, we know that molecular complexes
are constantly in motion, and that these dynamics are often crucial for function. In recent years, my group and
others have successfully used 3D animation tools to visualize diverse complex and dynamic molecular
processes. From this experience, we have seen that 3D animation software can be used to synthesize spatial
and dynamic information from a variety of experimental modalities, and that this process can provide important
scientific insights. Unfortunately, creating these molecular visualizations requires extensive training in 3D
animation techniques, and as a result, these techniques have not been widely adopted within the research
community. We propose to develop open-source tools and publish workflows to enable molecular biologists to
create and share dynamic molecular models. Using our tools, we envision that researchers will be able to
create animated models by completing two major tasks. As a first step, users will define a series of molecular
states in which the molecular complex (or single molecule) is proposed to exist. These states may be defined
by a change in conformation or association of one or more component molecules, for instance. Next, the user
defines a trajectory through these defined states in order to create an animated model. We will test and
validate these tools through a series of case studies of specific molecular systems that have relatively well-
defined structural and dynamic states. In parallel with developing animation tools, we will also develop
standards and methods for researchers to share, annotate, and archive dynamic molecular models. Overall,
our goal is to provide new methods and tools for researchers to visualize and model dynamic molecular
processes, and to make these completed models accessible, reusable, and transparent.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10842028
- **Project number:** 1R35GM153284-01
- **Recipient organization:** UTAH STATE HIGHER EDUCATION SYSTEM--UNIVERSITY OF UTAH
- **Principal Investigator:** Janet Iwasa
- **Activity code:** R35 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $385,000
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2024-05-01 → 2029-04-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10842028

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10842028, New Tools for Visualizing Dynamic Molecular Complexes (1R35GM153284-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10842028. Licensed CC0.

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