Chromatin Structure & Regulation
About:
This two page spread is meant to be a part of a molecular biology textbook explaining how acetylation (post-translational modification) modifies chromatin structure and impacts gene expression through histone modification.
Client: Kamal Sharma, UIC Dept. of Anatomy & Cell BIology
Software: 3DSMax w/ VRay, Zbrush, Keyshot & VMD
Format: 2 page textbook spread
Research & Ideation
Literature review was done in order to better understand the different chromatin states and structures since many models of heterochromatin has been proposed, with the one-start and two-start model being the most prominent models.
Production
PDB files of chromatin and nucleosomes were opened in VMD and exported into 3DSMax. DNA was built in Avogadro and a simple rig was created for it using bones in 3DSMax to link histones together to represent euchromatin. The chromatin models were then imported into ZBrush, where they were decimated and to reduce polycounts and rendered in Keyshot.
Draft
The rendered images were then composited in Photoshop and the layout was organized in Illustrator.
Final piece
The completed 3D models were added and the layout of the left page was revised to improve readability and create a more balanced piece.
