A Three-Dimensional Graphic System for Protein Structure Analysis

MASAYUKI AKAHOSHI[1] (akahoshi@icot.or.jp)
KENTARO ONIZUKA[1] (onizuka@icot.or.jp)
MASATO ISHIKAWA[1] (ishikawa@icot.or.jp)
KIYOSHI ASAI[2] (asai@etl.go.jp)

[1]Institute for New Generation Computer Technology(ICOT)
1-4-28, Mita, Minato-ku, Tokyo, 108 Japan
[2]Electrotechnical Laboratory(ETL)
1-1-4, Umezono, Tsukuba Ibaraki, 305 Japan


Abstract

We developed a new computer language that describes three-dimensional graphical objects for visual simulation. The language, 3D-Talk, is a powerful means for visualizing the process of protein folding simulation. 3D-Talk is designed as an object-oriented language, with which users can create, manipulate, and edit graphical objects using commands with a syntax like a natural language.

We developed two novel applications for molecular biology using 3D-Talk. One is ProView, a protein visualization tool. ProView converts the data of PDB(Protein Data Bank) into 3D-Talk statement. Another is a visual simulation system for protein folding. It simulates the motion of protein folding using simulated annealing techniques and Hidden Markov Models.
In short, 3D-Talk serves as a powerful animation tool.