Visualising Viruses

Seeing the Unseen

Viruses are invisibly small, but they influence every aspect of our lives. 

The resources in this website have been developed by scientists and artists to help you visualise the microscopic viruses which shape the world you see around you. 

Microbes such as bacteria and viruses are too small for us to see directly. Viruses are particularly small – so small that even the most powerful light microscopes can't examine them in detail. But this doesn’t mean we can’t learn about them! Scientists have developed many methods for studying viruses. Electron microscopes and X-ray crystallography can reveal details of viruses that light microscopes can’t spot. Other methods can give us a partial picture of viruses – what they’re made of, or what shape their proteins are – which we can combine to make detailed models of what a virus would look like, if it was big enough to see. 

The resources on this website, developed by the MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research (CVR) with The Glasgow School of Art (GSA) will let you picture the invisibly small viruses which surround you. You’ll learn about how we combat the viruses that make us sick, and you will also see the beauty of this microscopic world, a world that is hidden right in front of you. 

Explore the resources below to discover the fascinating world of viruses!

Explore Our Resources

1. Visible Viruses- Augmented Reality App

Bring viruses into your world! 

Our Visible Viruses app allows you to investigate viruses as if they were right in front of you – but millions of times bigger! 

This collaboration between The Glasgow School of Art and scientists at the CVR uses augmented reality (AR) to bring the invisible world of viruses to your phone or tablet. 

The app features: 

  • Detailed 3D animations of virus structures 

  • Interactive learning experiences 

  • Information on key viruses including influenza virus (flu), herpes simplex virus (cold sores), Zika virus, and SARS-CoV-2 

  • Quizzes to test your knowledge 

Credits: developed by Rachael Suétt and Daniel Livingstone (GSA) with Ed Hutchinson and Connor Bamford (CVR), with support from the University of Glasgow/The Glasgow School of Art Masters in Medical Visualisation and Human Anatomy and from the MRC. Additional modelling by Annabel Slater. 

2. Meet the Viruses- Virtual Reality Experience

Step inside a virus gallery! 

Explore the surprising beauty of the viral world in our 3D gallery. Viruses become large enough to examine up close in either virtual reality or through your web browser, in this immersive experience created by The Glasgow School of Art in collaboration with the CVR. 

Experience the exhibition: 

Credits: developed by Rachael Suétt and Daniel Livingstone (GSA) with Ed Hutchinson and Lois Mason (CVR), with support from the MRC. Additional artwork and modelling by Ludovic Autin, Sarah Iannucci, Phillipe Le Mercier, Naina Nair, Matthieu Poyade and Annabel Slater. 

Look at some of the staff playing ‘Meet the Viruses’ on VR headsets!

3. SARS-CoV-2 Mutation Explorer- Web Application

Watch the changing face of a pandemic! 

This interactive web app was developed during the COVID pandemic to help the public visualise how changes in the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein helped the virus to evolve and continue infecting people. Learn how mutations in the spike protein can impact both infectivity and antigenicity, and discover what these changes might mean for global health. 

3D spike proteins of SARS-CoV-2 model by Sara Iannucci.

Credits: Developed by Sarah Iannucci as part of the University of Glasgow/The Glasgow School of Art Masters in Medical Visualisation and Human Anatomy, with supervision from Matthieu Poyade (GSA) and Ed Hutchinson (CVR) and additional support from the COVID-19 Genomics UK Consortium (COG-UK). 

4. Viral Wonders Card Game

Learn while you play! 

Challenge your friends to this virus-themed card game. Each player selects a virus card that their opponent must identify by asking questions about specific viral features. 

Credits: Designed by Clifton Lewis (CVR Engagement and Communications Team), with supervision from Clare Donald (University of Glasgow) and Ed Hutchinson (CVR). 

5. Educational Resources Pack

Perfect for classrooms and self-directed learning! 

Our educational resources pack is designed to support the use of resources when teaching students aged 11-18. The materials include: 

  • Background information about viruses and viral diseases 

  • Detailed profiles of six viruses which cause major human diseases 

  • Activities to consolidate knowledge and engage learners 

Credits: Developed by Amy Shergold, with supervision from Lois Mason and Ed Hutchinson (CVR). Lesson plans developed by Ruth Abramson with support from Sam Langford.  

How to Use These Resources

  • These resources, which have been designed to complement biology syllabuses used in schools in the UK, can be used to enhance lessons on viruses, disease, and public health. The apps offer a variety of unique ways to visualise aspects of microbiology that students often find challenging. A combination of AR, VR, web-based and print resources are available to suit different classroom settings. The educational pack includes suggested classroom activities and additional information for teachers. 

  • Explore at your own pace! Start with the Educational Resources Pack for an overview, then dive deeper with our interactive apps and games. 

  • These resources can support outreach activities, science fairs, and informal learning environments. 

All educational materials are freely available under a creative commons license (CC-BY-NC-ND 4.0). 

Have questions or feedback? Contact us at lois.mason@glasgow.ac.uk or reach out on social media – X | Bluesky | LinkedIn