Protein Portraits Spring 2025

Proteins at the movies!

This Spring our imaginations will take Protein Portraits to Hollywood to pitch our protein portraits for film stardom! We may showcase the glamour of globins.  Maybe we’ll screen-test the scare factor in scorpion toxins.  We plan to sign up proteins not only for leading roles but for the bit parts as well for service as the backstage crew.  So sit back, pop some popcorn, and watch as we flip on the cameras and proclaim — at the molecular level –“Action!”

Our cast of (protein) characters …

Hard working protein scientists have given us many protein structures  with exciting potential for movie careers.  And then in 2020 DeepMind opened the stage door to many more.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here’s our plan, sketched out week-by week:

Week 1-3. Brainstorm our theme: Proteins at the movies

Here are some general ideas for proteins to be part of movie making

• Proteins in the storyline?
• Protein characters?
• Proteins in the film crew and film technologies?
• Proteins in the film audience?
• Other ideas? e.g. Proteins in the film trailers? Proteins in the movie posters? Proteins at the Academy Awards?

Week 4. Come to class with a preliminary design.

How do you know when you are ready with your preliminary design?

• Name of the protein
• Natural purpose of the protein
• How the protein fits in with the film
• Since the design is still preliminary, all of this may change in the course of class discussions.

Also in Week 4: Discuss the how/when/where of our end-of-term Protein Portraits Show.

Week 5. Come to class prepared for a preliminary design review.

What is a preliminary design review?

The design of your protein should aim to meet “requirements”, a loose set of specifications of how your protein fits into the theme.

There is a give-and-take relationship going on here! It’s as though you have been commissioned to create a painting that needs to fit on the client’s wall and provide awesome color to the living room, but the condo hasn’t been built yet and the color scheme and size of the walls are still under deliberation.  So the design can only be preliminary!

You should also have a preliminary idea, involving some preliminary studio work, of how you foresee creating and completing your project using available media and materials.

Week 6. Come to class with a final design proposal.

For some this will be a repeat and refinement of the preliminary design.  For others the final design will differ significantly and should be presented as a new and improved idea.

Also in Week 6, we will storyboard the film elements.  How do all our protein portraits work together in the overall theme?

We will also fine-tune the how/when/where of our end-of-term Protein Portraits Big Show. This is the real world management that means booking a room, getting out advertisements, etc.  We can’t leave this to the very end!!

Week 7. Come to class ready to give a final design review.

What is a Final Design Review?

It’s a pretty big deal.  All your concepts are in place for your protein portrait.  The materials have been chosen.  The label is ready to be written.  All that remains is the (hopeful) assembly of the work of art.

We probably won’t have time for everyone to do this in Week 7.  Those who are closest to feeling ready should go first.

Week 8. Finish the final design reviews.  Now design build-out is all that is remains.

What is a Design Build-Out?

You will now have all of Week 8 and Week 9 to hit the studio. Paint the painting.  Knit the mittens.  Sculpt the clay. Bend the wires. Thread the beads. Hang it all on a sturdy stand or frame.

Week 9. Your design build-out continues.

Take pictures of your progress to share with fellow artists.  Share tips and stories of artistic desperation, e.g they are all out of transparent red duct tape at the hardware store 🙁

Persevere until your creation is ready to be put on display, to show its stuff.

Week 10.  Our Protein Portraits Big Show. Roll it!