The target structure is a secondary structure that players attempt to satisfy when solving puzzles and designing lab submissions. The puzzle designer is used to create target structures for puzzles.
To view the target structure ingame, activate target mode with the hotkey "T". Target mode is the default view of RNA in EteRNA. In target mode, the RNA is held in the target structure. An outline of the RNA at the top left of the window displays regions that misfold in the natural-mode structure.
Target Structures in Puzzles[]
When a puzzle loads, the RNA is displayed in target mode. A puzzle is considered "solved" when the natural-mode structure and the target structure are identical and all restrictions are satisfied.
Target Structures in Lab[]
Similar to puzzles, the natural-mode structure of lab submissions must be equivalent to the target structure before the sequence can be submitted. The synthesis score of a design reflects how closely its natural structure matches the target structure.