Viral Geometry and Structural Diversity

This animation showcases the beautiful and complex structures of three different viruses.

Many viruses have characteristic geometric structures made up of repeating proteins. This animation uses 3D models to present three viruses with different structures: a nodavirus, a rhinovirus, and dengue virus.

This animation is a clip from a 2010 Holiday Lecture Series, Viral Outbreak: The Science of Emerging Disease. Depending on students’ background, it may be helpful to pause the animation at various points to discuss different features of the viral structures.