This was a project done for MSC2020: Visual Representation of Biomolecular Structure and Function, focusing on a biomolecular phenomenon explainable through structure-function relationships.

Reverse-transcriptase inhibitors are a class of drugs used to treat HIV. I wanted to investigate how these drugs work. Nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs) were the first class of antiretroviral drugs developed and used in HIV treatment. Non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs) are a second class of reverse transcriptase inhibitors that act on the same molecule but work in a different way. Both are an important part of standard HIV treatment.

I imported the molecular structures of HIV-1 reverse transcriptase in complex with RNA/DNA and dATP from the Protein Data Bank (DOI: 10.2210/pdb4PQU/pdb) into Chimera to make modifications. I originally had also included an image of reverse transcriptase bound with nevirapine (DOI: 10.2210/pdb1VRT/pdb) and modified that in Chimera as well. I chose to exclude this later, using a more schematic representation instead to make it easier to understand. I originally used a ribbon representation of the molecule, but I later changed this to a 3D surface model to give a better sense of the molecule’s form and to make it less complex in appearance for a lay audience.

After modifying the protein in Chimera, I imported it into Cinema 4D, where I added textures and lighting. I brought this image into Photoshop, where I made some minor adjustments. I drew the schematic diagrams in Illustrator, and imported everything into Indesign to put it together into a layout.

Objective: to help people understand how certain types of HIV drugs work

Audience: educated lay public

Format: 11x17” two-page spread suitable for print in Scientific American

Client: Dr. Derek Ng

Medium: Chimera, Cinema 4D, Photoshop, Illustrator, Indesign

Year: 2020