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Getting poster data...
Alberto I. Roca (ProfileGrid.org, Irvine, CA, USA)
Large multiple sequence alignments (MSAs) can be difficult to interpret. Our analysis of 50 SARS Spike proteins is a probable visualization limit on typical computer screens. A ProfileGrid's color-coded heatmap of residue frequencies provides a simple overview of MSA conservation patterns. Also, the JProfileGrid tool allows interactivity with data subsets. By contrast, schematics are a cumbersome visualization for representing Spike variants. ProfileGrids are a solution as shown in the close-up with the Wuhan reference sequence at top and the Omicron variant in pink for comparison. The context is clear for the rare Omicron substitutions (e.g. at 213) and insertions (before 214). Mass media has used primary sequences (Corum & Zimmer, NYTimes 4/3/2020) as well as pseudo-schematic alignments (Berkowitz, WashPost 12/16/2020) to explain protein variants. However, neither are robust and clear visualizations for the context of a protein family sequence variation. Thus, ProfileGrids can educate the public about protein datasets and relevant clinical variants. Finally, learn about biomolecular visualization principles important for biochemistry education (BioMolViz.org).