We made the cover! Of Cell Chemical Biology, that is.

This July, Cell Chemical Biology editors accepted a study from Promega scientists and invited the research team to submit cover art for the issue. The study in question details a BRET-based method to quantify drug-target occupancy within RAF-KRAS complexes in live cells. Promega scientists Matt Robers and Jim Vasta collaborated with one of our talented designers, Michael Stormberg, to craft an image that accurately represents the science in a dynamic and engaging way.

You can check out the paper and cover art in the November 16 issue of Cell Chemical Biology.

I spoke with Michael Stormberg to learn more about the creative process that went into creating this cover art and how he worked with the research team and other collaborators.

Creating the Cover Art

After receiving the journal’s invitation for a cover art submission, Matt Robers connected with Michael Stormberg to begin the design process. They kicked things off with a brainstorming session that explored the visual style of past Cell Chemical Biology cover art, the details of the science they wanted to depict and what elements they could incorporate into the design.

The research presents a target occupancy assay for RAF heterodimers in complex with endogenous KRAS or KRAS mutants. Some of the key visual elements included:

• An image of fluorescently labelled KRAS proteins localized in the cell membrane of HEK293 cells—an image that was generated during the study and was provided by Ani Michaud, one of the study authors.
• A 3D rendering of membrane-bound protein complexes that had already been created for Promega by artists at iSO-FORM and could be repurposed for this project.
• A ball-and-stick chemical structure for LXH-254, a type II RAF inhibitor used in the study, which was provided by Cesear Corona, a Promega chemist.

With their goals and these elements in hand, Michael created a first draft using Adobe Photoshop. He refined this draft based on feedback, toning down the energy beams and repositioning the RAF proteins.

Michael encountered a technical challenge in depicting the cell membrane. The 3D rendering shows proteins at the surface of a convex membrane. However, the KRAS-RAF complex is located on the internal, concave surface of a cell membrane—a point that was shown in the study using bioluminescent imaging.

A quick fix could “flip” the orientation of the membrane, but that would distort lighting. “It’s my goal to make sure it’s as accurate as we can make it,” Michael said. To achieve this accuracy, Michael used a Puppet Warp tool in Photoshop, which he had used in earlier projects. The tool allowed him to manipulate the curvature of the 3D rendering without distorting the lighting or other elements, yielding the final image.

In October, the team submitted the design to Cell Chemical Biology with the accompanying description:

At the end of October, the team learned that the editors had selected their artwork for the cover of the November 16 issue.

“I’m so appreciative of the R&D team collaborative spirit and their ability to explain their work so well. They gave me everything I needed to put this piece together,” Michael said. “They’re just amazing to work with.”

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Jordan Nutting

Jordan is a science writer at Promega Corporation. She earned her PhD in Chemistry at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and worked as a science reporter at the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel as a AAAS Mass Media Fellow. Jordan loves reading and is always looking for book recommendations. In her spare time, Jordan also enjoys knitting, going on hikes and gardening.

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