Using molecular visualisation techniques to explain the molecular biology of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein mutations to a general audience

Iannucci, S., Harvey, W., Hughes, J. , Robertson, D. L. , Hutchinson, E. and Poyade, M. (2022) Using molecular visualisation techniques to explain the molecular biology of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein mutations to a general audience. In: Shapiro, L. and Rea, P. M. (eds.) Biomedical Visualisation. Volume 12. Series: Advances in experimental medicine and biology (1388). Springer: Cham, pp. 129-152. ISBN 9783031108884 (doi: 10.1007/978-3-031-10889-1_6)

Abstract

Since the COVID-19 pandemic started in 2019, the virus responsible for the outbreak-SARS-CoV-2-has continued to evolve. Mutations of the virus' spike protein, the main protein driving infectivity and transmissibility, are especially concerning as they may allow the virus to improve its infectivity, transmissibility, and ability to evade the immune system. Understanding how specific molecular changes can alter the behaviour of a virus is challenging for non-experts, but this information helps us to understand the pandemic we are living through and the public health measures and interventions needed to bring it under control. In response to communication challenges arising from the COVID-19 pandemic, we recently developed an online educational application to explain the molecular biology of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein mutations to the general public. We used visualisation techniques such as 3D modelling and animation, which have been shown to be highly effective teaching tools in molecular biology, allowing the viewer to better understand protein structure, function, and dynamics. We also included interactive elements for users to learn actively by engaging with the digital content, and consequently improve information retention.This chapter presents the methodological and technological framework which we used to create this resource, the 'SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein Mutation Explorer' (SSPME). It explains how molecular visualisation and 3D modelling software were used to develop accurate models of relevant proteins; how 3D animation software was used to accurately visualise the dynamic molecular processes of SARS-CoV-2 infection, transmission, and antibody evasion; and how game development software was used to compile the 3D models and animations into a comprehensive, informative interactive application on SARS-CoV-2 spike protein mutations. This chapter indicates how cutting-edge visualisation techniques and technologies can be used to improve science communication about complex topics in molecular biology and infection biology to the general public, something that is critical to gaining control of the continuing COVID-19 pandemic.

• Item Type: Book Sections
• Keywords: SARS-CoV-2, COVID-19, 3D modelling, 3D animation, interactive visualisation, molecular visualisation.
• Status: Published
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Hughes, Dr Joseph and Robertson, Professor David and Poyade, Mr Matthieu and Harvey, Dr William and Hutchinson, Dr Edward

Creator Roles

Harvey, W.: Visualization, Supervision
Hughes, J.: Supervision
Robertson, D. L.: Supervision
Hutchinson, E.: Conceptualization, Supervision, Funding acquisition, Writing – review and editing
Poyade, M.: Supervision, Resources, Writing – review and editing

• Authors: Iannucci, S., Harvey, W., Hughes, J., Robertson, D. L., Hutchinson, E., and Poyade, M.
• College/School: College of Arts & Humanities; College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Infection & Immunity; College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Infection & Immunity > Centre for Virus Research
• Publisher: Springer
• ISBN: 9783031108884
• Published Online: 15 September 2022
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2022 The Authors
• First Published: First published in Biomedical Visualisation. Volume 12: 129-152
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced in accordance with the publisher copyright policy

Project Code	Award No	Project Name	Principal Investigator	Funder's Name	Funder Ref	Lead Dept
172398		Functional investigations of the influenza virus proteome	Edward Hutchinson	Medical Research Council (MRC)	MR/N008618/1	III-MRC-GU Centre for Virus Research