Four-Phase Cyclin-CDK Oscillation Clock
Four-phase cell cycle oscillation clock showing Cyclin D-CDK4/6, Cyclin E-CDK2, Cyclin A-CDK2, and Cyclin B-CDK1 relays.
G1/S/G2/M
Mitosis & Cell Proliferation
Cell Cycle Diagram Generator
Use the Cell Cycle Diagram Generator to create clear, journal-quality figures. Map G1, S, G2, and M phase transitions, Cyclin-CDK oscillating complexes, Rb-E2F regulation, and p53/p21 DNA damage arrest.
G1 / S / G2 / M phasesCyclin-CDK wave relaysp53-p21 DNA damage arrestEditable SVG & PPTX
Cell Cycle Diagram Generator
Describe your diagram
Free to try ·
Preview
Your diagram will appear here
Describe what you need and click Generate
How it works
How to generate cell cycle & checkpoint diagrams in 3 steps
Move from experimental pathway notes to a structured, reviewable figure ready for manuscript or slide preparation.
1. Specify pathway complexes, enzymes, and compartments
Describe the upstream triggers, protein complexes, cofactors, and organelle membranes that anchor your biological mechanism.
2. Review directional arrows and regulatory logic
Check activation arrowheads, inhibitory bars, membrane translocations, and feedback loops against your experimental data.
3. Export layered SVG or editable PowerPoint slides
Download high-resolution 4K rasters, layered SVG vectors, or native PPTX slides to customize labels and colors before submission.
1. Specify pathway complexes, enzymes, and compartments
Describe the upstream triggers, protein complexes, cofactors, and organelle membranes that anchor your biological mechanism.
2. Review directional arrows and regulatory logic
Check activation arrowheads, inhibitory bars, membrane translocations, and feedback loops against your experimental data.
3. Export layered SVG or editable PowerPoint slides
Download high-resolution 4K rasters, layered SVG vectors, or native PPTX slides to customize labels and colors before submission.
Featured cell cycle & mitotic checkpoint diagram examples
Explore high-density scientific diagrams created with SciDraw AI. Fully editable in SVG and PPTX.
G1/S Restriction Point (R-Point) & Rb-E2F
G1/S restriction point diagram showing mitogen-driven CDK4/6 phosphorylation of Rb releasing E2F transcription factors.
Restriction Point
p53-p21 DNA Damage Checkpoint & G1 Arrest
p53 and p21 DNA damage checkpoint diagram showing ATM/ATR activation and p21 CIP1/WAF1 inhibition of CDK complexes.
ATM/ATR
Spindle Assembly Checkpoint (SAC) Mitosis
Spindle assembly checkpoint diagram illustrating kinetochore tension sensing, Mad2-Cdc20 restraint, and Separase activation.
SAC
S-Phase DNA Replication Origin Licensing
DNA replication origin licensing diagram detailing pre-replicative complex formation and S-CDK DDK firing.
ORC/Cdc6
CDK4/6 Inhibitor Mechanism in Cancer Models
CDK4/6 inhibitor mechanism diagram showing palbociclib preventing Rb phosphorylation to lock cancer cells in G1 arrest.
CDK4/6 Inhibitor
Why SciDraw
Why researchers choose SciDraw AI for cell cycle diagrams
SciDraw can help draft a scientific visual. Check all labels, relationships, and claims against your source before use.
Workflow Need | SciDraw AI | Generic Image AI |
|---|---|---|
Scientific Entity & Complex Accuracy | Organizes canonical protein complexes, phosphorylation states, and readable English nomenclature. | Often invents non-existent protein shapes, garbled gene symbols, and unreadable pseudo-text. |
Biochemical Arrow & Compartmental Logic | Clearly distinguishes activation arrows (→), inhibition bars (⊣), and organelle membrane boundaries. | Places arrows arbitrarily without membrane topology or clear distinction between activation and repression. |
Downstream Vector & Slide Editability | Exports layered SVG vectors and PowerPoint (PPTX) slides with independently editable text labels. | Outputs flattened raster pixels where text typos and layout issues cannot be fixed. |
Multi-Resolution & Presentation Output | Supports 16:9 widescreen, 2K/4K export, and reference-guided animation for talks and manuscripts. | Unpredictable aspect ratios and low resolution that require manual redrawing. |
Practical guide
Scientific Guide & Publishing Standards
Follow proven scientific visualization principles to ensure your diagrams are accurate, legible, and aligned with journal requirements.
The Molecular Engine: Sequential Cyclin-CDK Oscillations
Eukaryotic cell division is driven by unidirectional waves of cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) activity. Early G1 phase relies on Cyclin D pairing with CDK4 and CDK6 in response to mitogenic signaling. Progressing through the restriction point requires Cyclin E–CDK2, while S phase entry and DNA replication are maintained by Cyclin A–CDK2 and Cyclin A–CDK1. Finally, mitotic entry is triggered by the surge of Cyclin B–CDK1 (MPF).
- Early-to-mid G1 phase: Cyclin D1/D2/D3 complexed with CDK4 and CDK6
- G1/S transition: Cyclin E1/E2 activating CDK2 to drive pre-replication licensing
- S and G2 phases: Cyclin A2 paired with CDK2, transitioning to CDK1
- Mitosis (M phase): Cyclin B1/B2 activating CDK1 to initiate nuclear envelope breakdown and spindle assembly
Critical Checkpoints: Guarding Genomic Integrity
Standard biomedical publishing standards require rigorous mapping of surveillance checkpoints. The G1/S DNA damage checkpoint senses double-strand breaks via ATM and single-strand lesions via ATR, activating Chk2/Chk1 to phosphorylate and stabilize p53. Stabilized p53 transactivates p21 (CIP1/WAF1), a universal CDK inhibitor that blocks CDK2 and arrests cells before replication.
- G1/S Checkpoint: ATM/ATR → Chk1/Chk2 → p53 stabilization → p21 induction → G1 cell cycle arrest
- G2/M Checkpoint: ATR-Chk1 phosphorylation of Cdc25C prevents CDK1 dephosphorylation, preventing premature mitosis
- Spindle Assembly Checkpoint (SAC): Unattached kinetochores recruit Mad1/Mad2 to form the mitotic checkpoint complex (MCC), inhibiting APC/C-Cdc20 until metaphase alignment
Design Standards for Educational and Cancer Research Figures
When drafting figures for oncology manuscripts or conference presentations, clearly annotate targeted therapeutics such as CDK4/6 inhibitors (palbociclib, ribociclib, abemaciclib) or Wee1/ATR inhibitors. Use consistent circular or progressive flow diagrams that clearly convey irreversible state transitions governed by ubiquitin ligases (SCF and APC/C).
- Use a circular dial or linear timeline with proportional phase sector dimensions (G1 > S > G2 > M)
- Distinguish activating phosphorylation (e.g. CAK on Thr160/161) from inhibitory phosphorylation (Wee1 on Thr14/Tyr15)
- Illustrate the proteasome-dependent destruction of cyclins ensuring strict irreversibility of phase exit
4. Export, layout, and multi-format adaptation for journals and talks
A single pathway or mechanism figure often serves multiple communication needs—from a two-column manuscript panel to a 16:9 conference slide or grant schematic. Plan your visual hierarchy so labels and compartments remain clear across formats:
- Export layered SVG or native PPTX slides to adjust font sizes, arrow weights, and color palettes for your target venue.
- Maintain consistent color coding across multi-panel figures so upstream triggers, active complexes, and inhibitors are immediately recognizable.
- Verify all gene symbols, phosphorylation sites, and causal connectors against primary experimental data before manuscript submission.
Simple Pricing for Scientific Figures
Choose your plan. No hidden fees, cancel anytime.
Your data is yours · Never used to train any model · Encrypted in transit and at rest
Standard
Save 50%+Great for getting started
$19$9/ month
$228$108/year
Billed annually · Cancel anytimeIncludes
- 24,000 credits per year (2,000 credits/mo)
- Up to 800 figures / year
- Up to 80 videos / year
- Supports all resolutions, including 1080P, 2K and 4K
- Commercial use license included
- SVG vector export
- Standard member queue
- No watermark — high-resolution slide and poster exports
- Slide & poster friendly layouts
- Run up to 3 generation tasks concurrently
- 30-day history storage
- All illustration styles included
Most Popular
Pro
Save 50%+Best for regular creation
$39$19/ month
$468$228/year
Billed annually · Cancel anytimeIncludes
- 60,000 credits per year (5,000 credits/mo)
- Up to 2,000 figures / year
- Up to 200 videos / year
- Supports all resolutions, including 1080P, 2K and 4K
- Commercial use license included
- SVG vector export
- No watermark — slide/poster review downloads
- Everything in Standard, plus:
- Run up to 5 generation tasks concurrently
- Priority generation queue during busy hours
- 90-day history + priority support (24h response)
- Early access to new features
Ultra
Save 50%Built for high-volume production
$79$39/ month
$948$468/year
Billed annually · Cancel anytimeIncludes
- 144,000 credits per year (12,000 credits/mo)
- Up to 4,800 figures / year
- Up to 480 videos / year
- Supports all resolutions, including 1080P, 2K and 4K
- Commercial use license included
- SVG vector export
- No watermark — slide/poster review downloads
- Everything in Pro, plus:
- Run up to 10 generation tasks concurrently
- Highest priority generation queue
- Permanent history + dedicated support (12h response)
Pay safely and securely with
Testimonials
Why researchers keep SciDraw in their workflow
Researchers, graduate students, and educators share how SciDraw helps them create scientific figures, scientific diagrams, graphical abstracts, and clearer teaching visuals faster.
For a plant-cell lecture, I needed the chloroplasts and vacuole called out without rebuilding an old slide. SciDraw gave me a useful scientific figure layout that went into my slide deck after only a few label edits.
Dr. Helen Vance
Cell Biology Professor
When a student asks for a force-diagram example beyond the textbook, I open SciDraw instead of redrawing one on a slide. It is the scientific diagram generator I reach for first, then I quickly check every vector.
Dr. Javier Ortega
Physics Instructor
For grant proposals, we use SciDraw to agree on the experimental setup diagram before anyone starts polishing the scientific figure. It has cut down the back-and-forth and given the team a shared visual from day one.
Dr. Devendra Verma
Research Lab Director
I can compare a few biological pathway diagrams for study notes before I settle on one.
Minh Nguyen
Graduate Science Student
For my dissertation, I start the manuscript-to-figure process with neural-pathway and synapse layouts in SciDraw. It gives me a strong first composition, so I can spend Illustrator time on the details that matter.
Dr. Ananya Rao
PhD Candidate · Neuroscience
The first scientific drawing got our fractional-distillation design review moving right away.
Dr. Marcus Davis
Chemical Engineering Lead
If the stock image does not match that week’s climate topic, I make a quick diagram in SciDraw. It gives the class a visual that fits the discussion, and I can tailor the labels to their level.
Prof. Mei-Ling Zhao
Environmental Science Educator
I see authors use a scientific figure generator to turn a rough outline into something reviewers can actually read. It makes the first review conversation clearer and helps the science stand out from the layout.
Dr. Thomas Ødegård
Scientific Journal Editor
For tectonics classes, I use a custom volcano cross-section diagram when the stock image does not match the boundary we are discussing. Students grasp the process much faster when the visual follows the exact example.
Dr. Fatima Al-Sayed
Geology Lecturer
It gives me a tidy scientific figure draft for a force diagram or wave sketch quickly, without making the curriculum page feel crowded.
Dr. Nathan Brooks
STEM Developer
I place a simple materials-science diagram next to SEM images so students can connect an ideal lattice to the real sample. That visual comparison makes the lesson click much faster than another paragraph of explanation.
Dr. Clara Sommer
Materials Researcher
Before opening CAD, we use SciDraw’s architecture diagram generator to make the system boundary and handoffs visible. It gets the right questions onto the table early and helps the team align before detailed modeling.
Dr. Robert Söderberg
Mechanical Engineer
For photosynthesis slides, I start with a chloroplast scientific figure that I can tailor to the level of the class. It saves a surprising amount of preparation time when a lesson needs a fresh visual.
Dr. Hannah Weber
Plant Biology Researcher
It gets me past the blank page on a science explainer and gives the final illustration a clearer direction.
Ji-Min Kim
Scientific Content Creator
Having students create a scientific drawing for a lab report makes them think through the process step by step. The discussion and revision afterwards are noticeably stronger.
Dr. Sofia Alvarez
Biochemistry Professor
It is helpful when we need an astronomy diagram for the exact orbit or instrument configuration in the discussion, rather than a generic solar-system graphic. The result feels much closer to the research question.
Dr. David Park
Astronomical Researcher
A labeled ecology figure gives our postdoc meetings something concrete to point at when we discuss feedback loops. It keeps the discussion focused and helps us reach a paper figure faster.
Dr. Lisa Wang
Ecology Postdoc
For multi-panel papers, I use the manuscript-to-figure workflow to decide what each panel needs to do before Illustrator. It makes the first layout decisions faster and leaves more time for the final polish.
Carlos Ortega
Illustrator Assistant
For early circuit and network reviews, I use SciDraw’s architecture diagram generator to get a first pass on the page. The team can mark it up together instead of building slides from fragments, which makes decisions quicker.
Dr. Elena Gomez
Systems Engineering Lead
For public-facing science guides, clear scientific diagrams often travel better than a dense block of text. They make complex ideas easier to share across languages and give us a strong starting point for the final guide.
Dr. Michael Achebe
Science Communicator
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
More Free Tools
BiologySignaling Pathway Diagram Generator
Create publication-grade signaling pathway diagrams for receptor cascades, phosphorylation relays, and transcriptional responses with structured English labels.
Try it free
BiologyApoptosis Diagram Generator
Create journal-quality apoptosis pathway diagrams for intrinsic mitochondrial release, extrinsic death receptors, DISC assembly, and caspase cascades.
Try it free
BiologyBiological Pathway Generator
Create biological pathway diagrams showing signaling cascades, metabolic routes, and gene regulation networks.
Try it free