Model of a influenza virus, Canberra, Australia, 1994

Model of influenza virus built for Professor W G Laver to show Model of influenza virus built for Professor W G Laver to show

Creative Commons LicenseThis image is released under a CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 Licence

Buy this image as a print 

Buy

License this image for commercial use at Science and Society Picture Library

License

Creative Commons LicenseThis image is released under a CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 Licence

Buy this image as a print 

Buy

License this image for commercial use at Science and Society Picture Library

License

Model of influenza virus built for Professor W G Laver to show
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Model of influenza virus built for Professor W G Laver to show
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Model of influenza virus built for Professor W G Laver to the structure of the influenza virus (magnified 5 million times) and its rapid mutation of the influenza virus and shown at the Royal Society in June 1994

Magnified five million times to a size of 710 mm in diameter, this model shows a particle of the influenza virus. The yellow rod shapes represent haemagglutin, used by the virus to gain entry into cells in the body. The four-pronged mushroom represents an enzyme, neuraminidase, used by the virus when it has shifted and changed in shape to spread to other cells. The changeable nature of the shape of the virus means flu is difficult to prevent using a vaccine. The model was made for William Graeme Laver, a virologist working on a treatment for influenza, to exhibit at the Royal Society in June 1994.

Details

Category:
Biochemistry
Object Number:
1994-1033
Materials:
metal and plastic
Measurements:
overall: 1025 mm 650 mm,
type:
model
credit:
Laver, W.G.