Genome game
by Ian Korf · in Game Design and Creative Issues · 05/15/2005 (11:22 am) · 4 replies
As a gamer and a computational biologist, I've had a dream of making genome analysis into a kind of game. This could be for entertainment or education, but I actually think of it more as a research tool. Most genome browsers use a point-and-click, page-based metaphor, but I'm interested in doing a 3D representation that's more like "flying through genome space". Now that I'm a professor, I might be able to get such a project funded. I'm planning on submitting a grant on this in the near future, and I'm wondering if anyone with some game developing experience would like to talk about the details of this with me. If all goes well, there may be fame and fortune in this (well, maybe not so much fortune, but possibly a steady job).
-Ian
-Ian
#2
Obviously you would keep the colors that each gene family uses, but you might have different shapes for different chomosome markers? I dont profess to know too much about it, but have a passing knowledge. Things like gene expression, genetic proximity, and splicing patterns for protein creation might each have different visual clues.
Again, I dont know if Im being much help (and have far too many things on my plate) but Im just theorizing.
I suppose I would suggest making a list of each type of analysis...breaking it down into parts and categories...then seeing if there are game types that might have similar sequence patterns.
Bah Im rambling. Perhaps Ive said something of use.
Good luck.
06/05/2005 (8:51 pm)
I think the big key for anything like this would be to set up the visual patterns you want 'gamers' to identify. Although its probably much more complex than the base A,G, T & C...you might want to come up with shapes...and variations of shapes for the basic genome groups you are having people recognize.Obviously you would keep the colors that each gene family uses, but you might have different shapes for different chomosome markers? I dont profess to know too much about it, but have a passing knowledge. Things like gene expression, genetic proximity, and splicing patterns for protein creation might each have different visual clues.
Again, I dont know if Im being much help (and have far too many things on my plate) but Im just theorizing.
I suppose I would suggest making a list of each type of analysis...breaking it down into parts and categories...then seeing if there are game types that might have similar sequence patterns.
Bah Im rambling. Perhaps Ive said something of use.
Good luck.
#3
06/13/2005 (9:48 am)
It's been done before just not in 3d, the transfer from 2d to 3d is my current project 
Torque Owner Michael Brewer
I think I understand what you are looking to create, but could you please describe it in a bit more detail? I have not used a genome browser before, but I imagine that it would provide a tree like view of a given species and it's decedents and allow viewing of the unique differences in DNA sequences at each node of the tree? Perhaps you could describe how you would utilize this tool in your research; how it would be helpful?
I certanly am interested.