The first step in the production of proteins involves ‘transcribing’ specific sections of DNA (genes) into RNA. The RNA retains all of the information of the DNA sequence from which it was copied, but is chemically and functionally different. This image depicts a greatly simplified model of the molecular machinery (RNA polymerase, green) used to unzip the DNA double helix (purple), assemble the RNA strand from constituent sub-units (pink), and re-zip the DNA. This image was taken from an animation of this process, and is available from WEHI-TV. The RNA polymerase model used to create this image was obtained from the Protein Data Bank (http://pdb.wehi.edu.au/pdb/), an international 3-D macromolecular repository for structure data, determined experimentally by X-ray crystallography and NMR.

An image of the malaria parasite spreading through blood and infecting red blood cells. For a more detailed description of these stages of the malaria lifecycle, take a look at the malaria animations in the WEHI-TV Malaria movie gallery

This image illustrates neurons (nerve cells) found in the brain. These specialised cells have long processes that act as the electrical wiring of our body — receiving, conducting, and transmitting signals across the nervous system.

This image illustrates a white blood cell in its guard role, protecting the body from infection by eating foreign invaders. This white blood cell is a ‘neutrophil’, identified by its multi-lobed nucleus. The neutrophil can be seen to be ‘swallowing’ a bacteria cell with a tentacle-like pseudopodium. Technical note: Relative to the size of the neutrophil, the bacteria cells in this image are too large; they were created that way for illustrative effect. The animation this image comes from can be found on the WEHI-TV Showreel V3.0.

This is an attempt to present the molecular scale view of a cell’s membrane, shown in cross-section. The top half of the image is outside the cell (extra-cellular), the bottom half is the cytoplasmic space. Just below the middle of the image is the zipper-like cross-section of the plasma membrane. Crossing the plasma membrane are protein channels and trans-membrane proteins with polysaccharide chains sticking up like trees on the external (upper) surface. Also in the extra-cellular space are ‘Y’-shaped and snowflake-shaped antibodies (IgG and IgM respectively). In the cytoplasm below the plasma membrane, are long twisting cytoskeleton cables of actin, microtubules and intermediate filaments.

This image was designed to represent the work of the Bioinformatics Group at The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research. Bioinformatics is the search for genes that cause inherited disease. The various elements represent different aspects of their research: The circular diagram at the back of the image is a family tree. The short segment of DNA is framed by binary code (1s and 0s) and strings of letters (G, A, C and T) representing the digital and genetic information the group works with. The three dodecahedrons represent the new technology of modified virus particles used to deliver DNA genetic therapy. The spheres and cubes diagram at the top of the image is a 3D family tree, put there because it looks funky.

This montage represents Diabetes research. The syringe is pointed at the viewer to give them some small sense of what it is like to be Diabetic.

Malaria parasites invading red blood cells (Merozoites of Plasmodium falciparum invading Human Erythrocytes).