Streptococcus mutans Animation, Poster 29

After taking an introductory course on 3D Computer Animation in the fall, I was drawn to the opportunity/idea of applying this new medium of art to a dense scientific topic. Scientific topics that lack illustrations can be... [ view full abstract ]

After taking an introductory course on 3D Computer Animation in the fall, I was drawn to the opportunity/idea of applying this new medium of art to a dense scientific topic. Scientific topics that lack illustrations can be difficult to grasp, especially when it involves deeply intricate systems. Furthermore, illustrations that accompany educational material can sometimes be inaccurately represented due to a lack of communication between the artist and the commissioner. Working closely with Professor Spatafora (whose lab is currently working on identifying genes in Streptococcus mutans and defining their involvement in the caries-forming process) and Professor Daniel Houghton (the director of the Animation Studio), I am in the process of making a moving visual for Professor Spatafora’s lab in an effort to create an accurate representation of her research. This animation will be designed to accompany discussions around the research, and to serve as an example of the ways we can promote the intersection between science and art.