Gene Explorer

Gene Explorer is a small, Java based tool designed to offer you an interactive simulation of gene expression that allows the user to:

Explore a sample gene:

· Explore the correspondence between DNA, pre-mRNA, mature mRNA, and protein · Map the functional elements of a gene. · Create mutations in a gene and explore their effects. · Design a gene of their own and see how it is expressed.

The figure above shows the Gene Explorer display:

· The DNA strands with base-pair 62 highlighted. · The user can scroll to select other bases with the arrow keys. · The user can edit the DNA sequence to produce mutations. · The pre-mRNA extending from the promoter to the terminator. Exons and introns are shown in color. The mRNA base corresponding to base 62 in the DNA is highlighted. · The mature mRNA spliced according to the splice signals in the pre-mRNA. Start and stop codons are underlined. The mRNA base corresponding to DNA base 62 is highlighted. · The protein with its N and C termini shown. The amino acid whose codon includes the mRNA encoded by DNA base 62 is highlighted.