3D Printed Model of a Virus Self Assembles When Shaken

Professor Arthur J. Olson of the Scripps Research Institute demonstrates a 3D printed model of a virus that self assembles when shaken. Olson is head of the Molecular Graphics Laboratory, which uses 3D computer models, 3D printing, and augmented reality to create tools for life science researchers and educators. He is also the project leader of Fight Aids at Home, a tool that allows home computer users to share their resources as part of a massive project to find new HIV drugs.

• Category

  Science & Technology

[gd01skorpius]

STOP THAT! *slaps jar from hands*

[frankly1970]

Magnets, how the fuck do they work?

[Ed Rybicki]

So big complicated proteins get made by smaller, simpler proteins getting together. All by themselves. That better? B-)

[spongya77]

I think you used way too many long words for these folks to understand your point...

[DrNemmo]

This is a very simple idea and it helped me to understand better how proteins are assembled simply by using electrical interactions. Thanks, science !

[PianoSpell]

Who could believe an ant in theory?

A giraffe in blueprint?

Ten thousand doctors of what’s possible

Could reason half the jungle out of being.

[PianoSpell]

You mean there should be some THING to shake it...

[William Shipley]

Look no further than Einstein's theory of relativity.

[renkinjutsu01]

I think it's hilarious that one person disliked this.

[Ed Rybicki]

Are you religious people who respond to this, totally scientifically illiterate? You must be: all this demonstrates is that suitably-shaped proteins with an affinity for each other - conferred by structural and charge complementarity - can self-assemble into quite complex structures, simply by random collisions.

Just as many of the components of your very cells do, folks! So unless you think a big G does it for every cell on this planet., you have to accept that viruses do it for themselves.

[Vogel M.]

hmm, who will we get to shake it.... hmmm.... maybe kinetic energy by the sun?

NAH! Let God do it in a furious masturbation session!

[InMetal2]

Thats a great ilustration!