DNA examples?
Hi there,
I am looking for any existing examples using DNA and similar agents to help me get some ideas for starting a simulation on mRNA transcription.
If anyone has any or know of any I could get to look through, I would greatly appreciate that - thanks.
I'm also looking for guidance in terms of structuring the DNA objects - e.g. should each base in the string be a "Real" object, or would a multibody be useful to keep them together, or...?
(By the way, if requests for examples should go in the "breve Simulations and Code" forum, let me know (and update the forum description to include requests), thanks.)
DNA examples?
I think a nice approach would be to model each base as an instance of class "Mobile". To join them together, you could either use Joints or Springs. Joints would offer more control over how the bases are connected, but Springs will probably require less overhead. The choice might also depend on how many bases you intend on modelling in a single molecule. If it's over 100, for example, the Joints might cause a big slowdown.
The MultiBody class is really optional here. MultiBodies used to be required for all jointed objects, but at this point are only needed if you intend to manipulate (move, rotate) your entire chain as a single logical object as you might want to do with a robot. For your DNA/mRNA molecules, this probably won't be necessary.
- jon