BioBlender: visualizing biology using Blender

Background / Purpose: BioBlender is a software package built on the open-source 3D computer graphics software Blender. With BioBlender users can handle proteins in the 3D space, display their surface features in a photo-realistic and intuitive way, and elaborate protein movements on the basis of known conformations. Main conclusion: The combination of 3D computer graphics, game engine and scientific programs make BioBlender a complete instrument to elaborate the movement of proteins and to display their surface features using a visual code based on texturing and particle special effects. In this way it is possible to show the physical and chemical properties of a molecule in motion facilitating better understanding.