IRAKU

IRAKU is a visual education app for genetics, DNA, and evolution. Learn by seeing and playing.

The 17th title in the long-running "RAKU" series that started with SUUGAKU (math), BUTURAKU (physics), and continues through DENRAKU (electricity), HARAKU (waves), NETURAKU (heat), SEIRAKU (astronomy), KORAKU (optics), RYORAKU (quantum), RYURAKU (fluids), KAKURAKU (probability), KIKARAKU (geometry), KAGAKU (chemistry), KINRAKU (microbiology), NOURAKU (neuroscience), KIKARAKU (mechanics), and CHIRAKU (geology). This time the theme is genetics, DNA, and evolution. Nine topics covering high school through introductory college biology, packaged as beautifully animated simulations.

[Nine simulators]

- DNA Double Helix Viewer

Pseudo-3D rotating double helix. Adjust base-pair count (6 to 40) and rotation speed; enter your own sequence, generate a random one, or hit Mutate to flip a single base. Tap any base to see position, hydrogen-bond count, and surrounding context.

- Central Dogma

A five-stage animation: DNA strands unwind, mRNA is transcribed from the template strand, exported to the cytoplasm, translated codon-by-codon at the ribosome, and a polypeptide chain emerges. Play, pause, reset, and adjust speed.

- Punnett Square (Mendelian Cross)

Pick parental genotypes (AA / Aa / aa) and immediately see the offspring genotype distribution and dominant:recessive phenotype ratio. Switch to dihybrid mode to experience independent assortment (9:3:3:1).

- Codon Translator

Type a DNA sequence; the app transcribes mRNA and translates to the 20 amino acids. Switch between three reading frames, and consult the built-in 64-codon table.

- Mutation & Evolution

Add mutation rate and selection pressure (e.g. recessive lethality) to a population, then step generations to watch genotype frequencies shift on both an individual grid and a line chart. Shrink the population to see genetic drift kick in.

- Hardy-Weinberg Equilibrium

The null model of population genetics: p² + 2pq + q² = 1. Slide allele frequency p and each genotype's fitness, then advance generations and watch the bar chart and trajectory drift away from equilibrium.

- Phylogenetic Tree Builder

Enter multiple sequences; the app computes Hamming distances, builds a distance matrix, and clusters via UPGMA to draw a tree. Human, chimpanzee, mouse, and chicken sequences are preloaded.

- CRISPR Lab

Design a 20-nt guide RNA and cut with Cas9. The app detects PAM sites (NGG) on both strands, then resolves the cut via NHEJ (indels) or HDR (donor-template replacement). See the edited sequence vs. the original.

- Karyotype Viewer

Human's 23 chromosome pairs arranged in a karyotype. Tap to switch among normal (46,XX / 46,XY), trisomy 21 / 18 / 13, Turner syndrome (45,X), and Klinefelter syndrome (47,XXY).

[Features]

- Info sheet with the underlying equations or principles in every simulator

- Real-time visualizations of central dogma, Punnett squares, Hardy-Weinberg, UPGMA, and more

- Japanese and English supported

- Dark and Light modes

- Intuitive, polished UI

[Who it's for]

- High-school biology and college genetics students

- Anyone who wants to internalize how DNA, genes, and evolution actually work

- Teachers looking for a classroom demo or a tablet-based supplement

- Anyone who reads "genome" or "genetic testing" in the news and wants the real picture