Scroll down to see some examples of how these images were made.
RNAi
To visualise a RNAi molecule, we started from a 2D representation of the structure of RNAi, and converted this to a 3D model with depth, which was then rendered and composited to produce the final image. Strictly speaking, this is a 3D representation of the 2D structure of RNAi (the real 3D structure would fold and coil up to produce a more compact, thermodynamically stable structure), but it adds a degree of visual aesthetic which clearly conveys the self-binding, looped structure it forms.
Insulin Hexamer
The structure for this insulin molecule came from the Protein Data Bank (www.pdb.org, molecule 1AI0), and this was converted to a 3D ribbon representation, textured, lit and some depth-of-field and glow effects were added. In the image, insulin forms a symmetrical hexamer around a central zinc ion.
DNA loops under AFM
This image is based on real AFM data of DNA loops on a surface (left). A restriction enzyme protein, EcoKI (green) creates these severed looped sections of DNA. The loops were traced out exactly as they were positioned in the original data, and the AFM height data were used to control the height and width of the DNA and enzyme in the computer model. The final image took 68 hours to render on a single computer.
Bacteriophage
This image shows a bacteriophage attacking a bacterium. These terrifying creatures actually exist - as the microscope reference image (left) will testify. The 3D bacteriophage model was rigged and positioned on the surface of its prey, a bacterium. Looking like something out of a B-movie horror flick, the finished image does justice to this terrifying, structurally complex virus. The illustration was selected for an honourable mention in Science magazine's Sci-Vis competition in 2011, which is a very, very short list of visualisation talent from around the world.
Retrovirus
For this illustration of retroviral action, we used a real integrase/DNA dimer structure (obtained by crystallography, PDB ref 1Z19), to show the virus' genetic material (red) integrating into the host's genome (green) within the nucleus. The three stages of approach, binding to surface receptors, and merging/injection of the viral contents can be seen.
Cholera Toxin
Using the real structure of the cholera toxin (PDB ref 1XTC), we were able to show a semi-cutaway view of the various components of the toxin, highlighting the three parts of the toxin and their structural relationship.
Bloodhound SSC - CAD render
With supplied CAD models from the Bloodhound SSC engineering department, we created a polygon shell and composited the model into a real environment, with precise reflections, lighting, etc. Why build the real thing at all....? Oh wait, they're doing it now.
ESA's Solar Orbiter - CAD render
We took ESA's Solar Orbiter CAD files, and created a full 3D environment for it, which was then used to produce a series of posters and a six-minute HD animation, highlighting the mission objectives and specifications.