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Telomere T-Loop Capping & DNA Damage Checkpoint

Interactive 3D model of a chromosome end: watch shelterin proteins fold telomeric DNA into a protective T-loop, shorten the telomere below the critical length, and see the exposed end trigger the DNA-damage checkpoint that drives replicative senescence.

Molecular Biology3DAdvanced60 FPS📱 Mobile-adapted⇄ 2D version

This simulator renders one chromosome end in 3D and models the molecular decision that underlies replicative senescence: can the shelterin complex still fold the telomere into a protective T-loop? Set the double-stranded telomere length and shelterin availability, then trigger cell divisions — each one shortens the telomere through the end-replication problem — and watch the T-loop's stability fall, the DNA-damage response climb, and the cell cross over into senescence once the chromosome end can no longer be hidden from the repair machinery. A telomerase toggle shows the opposite path taken by stem, germline and most cancer cells.

⚙ Under the hood

Watch a chromosome end fold into a protective T-loop as shelterin proteins cap it — shorten the telomere below the critical length and the exposed DNA end triggers the DNA-damage checkpoint that drives the cell into replicative senescence.

telomereshelterinDNA damage responsecellular senescenceT-loopmolecular biology

3D · Three.js / WebGL renderer · 60 FPS target · runs fully client-side, no install