Gaël McGill

Model of Membrane Fusion by SARS CoV-2 Spike Protein    |    Gaël McGill, Jonathan Khao

A dynamic simulation and visual model of how the SARS CoV-2 Spike protein drives fusion of viral and cell membranes. Binding of the S1 spike trimer ‘cap’ to an ACE2 receptor triggers release of S1 and unveils the S2 trimer below. Extension of S2 leads to embedding of hydrophobic fusion regions into the host cell membrane. Once tethered to both viral and cell membranes, refolding of S2 on itself drives membrane fusion and release of the viral genome into the host cell cytoplasm.

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Early Events in Reovirus Entry    |    Gaël McGill, Janet Iwasa

A more in-depth look at the early events of reovirus entry. This current version highlights each of the 8 proteins that make up the virus as well as its icosahedral symmetry. The virus is activated upon trypsin ‘attack’ and cleavage of the outer protein layer. The virus then binds to and enters the cell via the JAM-1 receptor and clathrin-mediated endocytosis.

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HIV Entry – gp41-mediated membrane fusion    |    Gaël McGill

This Maya animation depicts the process by which HIV’s gp41 protein mediates the fusion of viral and cellular membranes during virus entry. In addition, strategies for inhibiting this process with peptide or small molecule inhibitors are shown.

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Dengue Virus Entry    |    Digizyme, Gaël McGill, Janet Iwasa, Michael Astrachan, XVIVO

A narrated animation depicting the events that lead to Dengue virus entry into a host cell. In particular, rearrangements and conformational changes in the Dengue glycoprotein E are shown. These lead to membrane fusion and subsequent release of the viral payload into the host cell cytoplasm. Created for WGBH.

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Villus Capillary – Hemoglobin    |    Gaël McGill

An animation that takes the viewer from the tissue level (i.e. a capillary inside a gut villus) all the way to the molecular level (by taking a look at the conformational changes that occur as a result of oxygen release by hemoglobin).

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