LOADING 3D BIO-SYSTEMS...
0%
LOADING 3D BIO-SYSTEMS...
Interactive 3D Collection
Coronavirus
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2
The virus responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic. It belongs to the betacoronavirus genus and is characterized by its distinctive spike proteins that form a crown-like (corona) appearance. These spike proteins bind to ACE2 receptors on human cells.
Lentivirus (Retrovirus)
Human Immunodeficiency Virus
HIV attacks the immune system, specifically CD4+ T cells. Over time, it destroys so many of these cells that the body can't fight infections, leading to AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome). HIV uses reverse transcriptase to convert its RNA into DNA.
Orthomyxovirus
Influenza A virus (H1N1/H3N2)
The influenza virus causes seasonal flu epidemics. Its segmented genome allows 'antigenic shift' — when two different flu strains co-infect a cell and swap segments, creating entirely new strains (like H1N1 in 2009). This is why we need new flu vaccines every year.
Filovirus
Zaire ebolavirus
One of the most deadly viruses known. Ebola causes severe hemorrhagic fever with massive internal bleeding. Its filamentous shape is unique — it can be extremely long, sometimes forming shepherd's crook or circular shapes. The virus is believed to be maintained in fruit bat populations.
Rhabdovirus (Lyssavirus)
Rabies lyssavirus
Rabies is almost universally fatal once clinical symptoms develop, making it one of the most lethal viruses. It travels along nerves from the bite site to the brain, causing encephalitis. Its distinctive bullet shape makes it easily recognizable under electron microscopy.
Myovirus (Bacteriophage)
Enterobacteria phage T4
Bacteriophages are viruses that exclusively infect bacteria. T4 is the most studied phage, with its iconic lunar-lander shape. It injects its DNA into E. coli, hijacks the cell machinery, and produces ~100-200 copies before bursting the cell. Phages are being explored as alternatives to antibiotics.
Flavivirus
Dengue virus (DENV 1-4)
Dengue is the most common mosquito-borne viral disease, infecting ~390 million people annually. It has 4 serotypes (DENV 1-4). Recovery from one serotype gives lifelong immunity to that type but subsequent infection by a different serotype increases risk of severe dengue (hemorrhagic fever).
Hepadnavirus
Hepatitis B virus (HBV)
HBV infects liver cells and can cause both acute and chronic hepatitis. Chronic infection can lead to cirrhosis and liver cancer. It has a unique replication strategy using reverse transcriptase despite being a DNA virus. The HBV vaccine was the world's first vaccine to prevent cancer.
Paramyxovirus (Morbillivirus)
Measles morbillivirus
Measles is one of the most contagious diseases known — a single infected person can infect 12-18 others. The virus attacks immune memory cells, causing 'immune amnesia' that erases immunity to previously encountered pathogens. This effect can last 2-3 years after infection.
Tobamovirus
Tobamovirus TMV
TMV holds a legendary place in science — it was the FIRST virus ever discovered (1892). Ivanovsky showed that the agent causing tobacco mosaic disease was smaller than any known bacterium. Beijerinck called it 'contagium vivum fluidum' (living contagious fluid), coining the concept of viruses.
Adenoviridae
Human Adenovirus C
Adenoviruses are common viruses that cause flu-like symptoms. They are famous in biotechnology as 'viral vectors' for delivering genes in vaccines (like the AstraZeneca COVID vaccine).
Flaviviridae
Zika virus
Zika gained global attention in 2015-2016. While mild for most, it can cause microcephaly and other severe brain defects in babies born to infected mothers.
Poxviridae
Variola virus
The first and only human disease to be completely eradicated by vaccination. It killed hundreds of millions of people throughout history.
Herpesviridae
Herpes simplex virus (HSV-1/2)
A lifelong infection that hides in nerve cells and 'reactivates' occasionally. HSV-1 usually causes cold sores, while HSV-2 is typically genital.
Reoviridae
Rotavirus A
The leading cause of severe diarrhea in infants and young children worldwide. It looks like a wheel under a microscope.
Filoviridae
Marburg marburgvirus
A close relative of Ebola. It causes severe hemorrhagic fever and was first identified after lab workers were exposed to African green monkeys.
Caliciviridae
Norwalk virus
Often called the 'stomach flu' or 'winter vomiting bug'. It is incredibly contagious—just 18 particles can make you sick!
Papillomaviridae
Human papillomavirus
The most common sexually transmitted infection. Most types are harmless, but 'high-risk' types are the leading cause of cervical cancer.
Picornaviridae
Enterovirus C
A virus that can attack the nervous system and cause total paralysis in hours. It is very close to being eradicated globally.
Mimiviridae
Acanthamoeba polyphaga mimivirus
A 'Giant Virus' that is larger than many bacteria. It was named because it 'mimics' a microbe.
Siphoviridae
Enterobacteria phage λ
A temperate bacteriophage that can either kill its host or hide inside its genome for generations.
Matonaviridae
Rubella virus
Also known as 'German Measles'. It is mild for children but devastating for unborn babies.
Paramyxoviridae
Mumps orthorubulavirus
Best known for causing 'chipmunk cheeks' due to swollen glands. Can occasionally cause deafness or meningitis.
Flaviviridae
Hepatitis C virus (HCV)
A 'silent killer' that can damage the liver for decades without symptoms. Now one of the few chronic viruses that can be completely cured.
Arenaviridae
Lassa mammarenavirus
A viral hemorrhagic fever endemic to West Africa. Its name 'Arena' means 'sand', referring to ribosomes inside the virus that look like grains of sand.
Herpesviridae
Varicella-zoster virus (VZV)
Causes Chickenpox in children. After recovery, it hides in the spine and can re-emerge decades later as Shingles.
Picornaviridae
Human rhinovirus (A/B/C)
The primary cause of the 'Common Cold'. There are over 160 different types, which is why you never become fully immune to colds.
Flaviviridae
West Nile virus
A virus that cycles between birds and mosquitoes. Humans and horses are 'dead-end' hosts.
Coronaviridae
Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus
A much more lethal cousin of SARS and COVID-19. It primarily spreads from dromedary camels to humans.
Hantaviridae
Sin Nombre virus
Unlike most other viruses in its family, Hantaviruses are not spread by insects, but by rodents like the deer mouse.
Paramyxoviridae
Nipah henipavirus
A highly dangerous zoonotic virus that can cause severe respiratory illness and fatal encephalitis.
Phenuiviridae
Rift Valley fever phlebovirus
An arbovirus that primarily affects animals but can cause severe disease in humans, often linked to heavy rainfall.
Togaviridae
Chikungunya virus
The name comes from the Kimakonde language, meaning 'to become contorted,' referring to the stooped posture of sufferers.
Flaviviridae
Japanese encephalitis virus
The leading cause of vaccine-preventable encephalitis in Asia and the Western Pacific.
Viruses are far smaller than cells or bacteria. Here's a proportional size comparison.
~100 viruses fit across one bacterium • ~10,000 viruses fit across one human cell
Deliver genetic instructions for spike protein. Your cells make the protein, immune system learns to fight it. Used for COVID-19 (Pfizer, Moderna).
Contains weakened/killed virus. Trains immune memory without causing disease. Used for flu, measles, polio. Annual reformulation needed for flu.
Block viral replication inside cells. Examples: Tamiflu (flu), Paxlovid (COVID), ART (HIV). Different from antibiotics — don't work on bacteria.
White blood cells (T-cells, B-cells) detect and destroy infected cells. Memory cells provide long-term immunity. Antibodies neutralize free virus.