The Unknown Venome (2024-25)

We’re setting out to uncover The Unknown Venome! 

Many parasites use venom proteins to invade and take over their hosts. These venom proteins make up the venome, and we are exploring how it works. With your help, we are looking to set up a central location for cataloging each venom component's computational, physical, and biochemical data. Imagine Wikipedia, but for proteins, freely available to all who would like to learn more about the organisms we are studying, biochemistry, and biophysics in general!

Objectives


We currently have many venom protein sequences and their corresponding AlphaFold protein structure predictions, in addition to the ability to create 3D computer models of them to visualize these previously unknown venom proteins. The most immediate objective is to create a central location in which these models, and their associated data, can be displayed in an indexed manner where each protein has its own page that can be visited. We are also interested in exploring new and more user friendly ways to visualize the structures, along with the data and metadata associated with each model. Our longer-term plan is for these individual pages to be populated with additional physical and biochemical data and any other information that may be useful or interesting to our visitors. 

Motivations


This project will allow for consolidating the ever-growing data we gain through our studies of venom proteins across various parasite species. So far, we have identified venoms that target genes involved in diseases like Alzheimer's disease, autoimmune disorders, and cancer, so this project will focus on better understanding these venom functions to develop translational knowledge that may help healthcare professionals. Along with gathering experimental data, it must then be well organized and presented, so that others can utilize the information to better inform their future research. 

Qualifications


Minimum Qualifications:

The plan for this year will be to build on what last year’s group accomplished in getting the site built and launched: I.e., developing a user interface for the site and adding to/refining the data analysis and visualization on the site.

For user interface, we are thinking about a system where users can register and suggest changes, add their own data, etc. Data analysis will likely include automating some of the analysis, as well as adding fresh options, and visualization will probably include creating some easy to interpret outputs as well as making the 3D tools apply to the user’s own data.

 

Preferred Qualifications:
None Listed


Details


Project Partner:

Nate Mortimer

NDA/IPA:

No Agreement Required

Number Groups:

1

Project Status:

Accepting Applicants

Keywords:
WebDatabaseData ScienceData EngineeringConsultancySvelte
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