TALEN Gene Editing 2D: RVD Code & FokI Dimerization

TALENs (Transcription Activator-Like Effector Nucleases) are a gene-editing platform built before CRISPR became dominant, and they read DNA differently: each protein repeat in a TALE array recognizes exactly one base pair via its repeat-variable diresidue, giving a simple one-repeat-to-one-nucleotide code instead of CRISPR's guide-RNA base pairing. This 2D companion renders the same 60 bp DNA target as a linear, pannable and zoomable map and lets you design a matched left/right TALE array around a randomized sequence, dial in the spacer length between the two half-sites and the number of RVD mismatches, then attempt cleavage. Because FokI only cuts as a dimer, the two nuclease domains must land within a real dimerization window — the simulation checks that window and the RVD match quality live, reports an estimated genome-wide off-target count from the matched-repeat count actually present on the target, and visibly splits the map only when both conditions are actually satisfied.