Designing an Open-Source Interactive Viewer for DNA Vectors​

Data visualization is highly valued. It allows scientists to interpret data quicker and more easily which can lead to discoveries faster. This project creates an open-source, circular DNA vector viewer developed to enhance molecular biology data visualization within BreedBase, a site that improves plant breeders efficiency. Built using D3.js v4 for scalable vector (SVG) rendering and DataTables.js for dynamic, real-time table interaction, the tool enables researchers to visualize key genetic features such as genes and restriction enzyme (RE) sites. It supports a range of interactive capabilities, including feature dragging, region highlighting, zooming, and panning, as well as editable data tables that update the visualization in real time. This project addresses a major gap in the BreedBase platform by introducing a user-friendly system for viewing and editing DNA vectors, ultimately improving data interpretation and usability for breeding scientists.

I feel very fortunate to have been part of this REU experience. I have had an incredible opportunity to make new friends, form valuable connections, and build new skills. I’m especially grateful for the chance to contribute to a project that sits at the intersection of plant biology and software engineering. During my time in the Mueller Lab at the Boyce Thompson Institute, I helped design an open-source, interactive circular DNA vector viewer, something I never imagined myself doing when I first arrived with limited biology and coding knowledge. Thanks to the mentorship of Lukas Mueller and the BreedBase team, I learned quickly through hands-on problem-solving and collaborative support. I built the vector viewer primarily using D3.js, creating a tool that lets researchers dynamically visualize genes and restriction enzyme sites on DNA constructs. In the process, I gained experience writing front-end code, troubleshooting visualization challenges, and converting raw biological data into clean, usable interfaces.This project pushed me to grow not just as a programmer, but as a scientist. For example, I learned how to think systematically about problem solving. This experience also strengthened my confidence, helped me become a more independent thinker, and showed me the power of combining software and biology. It has also helped me understand related fields and think through what I might study as I apply for colleges. Most importantly, it reaffirmed my motivation to keep solving problems, and exploring the world of science.