General Postcard
Title: CCR5 Delta 32
Each banner shows the normal CCR5 sequence laid next to the CCR5 Delta 32 mutation sequence. The normal sequence is 1059 nucleotides long, the Delta 32 sequence is missing 32 nucleotides, starting at position 553.
The left banner has a gap where the deletion occurs. This view highlights how the normal and mutant forms have the identical sequence, except for a small piece missing in the middle. It is a useful way to visualize how the 2 variants of this gene are different.
The right banner, without the gap, compares the 2 sequences as they actually are. It is clear that the normal CCR5 is identical to the Delta 32 variant up to a certain point (position 553), then they appear to be completely different.
The most difficult part of the process was making the lines straight.
Before painting started, colour coded strips of the sequence were placed in position next their respective square.
Basic Introduction
There are over 4000 little squares. Each square has 2 layers of silver paint and 3 layers of coloured paint.
The exhibit was designed to be installed outdoors at night with direct lighting.
The left banner has a gap where the deletion occurs. When seen this way, it highlights how the wild and mutant forms have the identical sequence, except for a small piece missing in the middle.
Banner Without Gap
Later I made custom stands for a second exhibit showing.
Testing the custom stands for stability.