KierAlign - Needleman-Wunsch Visualizer

Web-based visualization of the Needleman-Wunsch algorithm with animated DP, traceback, and real-time feedback.

Why I Built This

Needleman-Wunsch is foundational in bioinformatics, but many learners struggle to build intuition from static matrix snapshots. I built KierAlign so people can watch the algorithm evolve step by step and understand why each scoring decision matters. The main motivation was to make sequence alignment feel approachable without oversimplifying the logic.

What It Does

  • Animates matrix filling in real time.
  • Visualizes traceback paths, including multiple optimal alignments.
  • Lets users tune match, mismatch, and gap scoring live.
  • Runs fully client-side with D3.js.

Design Direction

The interface takes cues from the Lumon Terminal aesthetic to make algorithm learning memorable and fun.