Model of surface antigens of an influenza virus, Canberra, Australia, 1994

Made:
1994 in Canberra
maker:
John Curtin School of Medical Research Workshops
Model of surface antigens of influenza virus  built for the

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Model of surface antigens of influenza virus built for the
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Model of surface antigens of influenza virus built for the Professor W G Laver to show the rapid mutation of the influenza virus and shown at the Royal Society in June 1994

The influenza virus has antigens on its surface called haemagglutin and neuraminidase. They can change their shape in two processes known as drift and shift. In ‘drift’, small changes occur meaning that the antibodies which protect us cannot bind and destroy the virus. In ‘shift’ an entirely new virus is created to which no one has any immunity. This makes influenza a difficult virus to protect against. The model was made for William Graeme Laver, a virologist working on a treatment for influenza, to exhibit at the Royal Society in June 1994.

Details

Category:
Biochemistry
Object Number:
1994-1034
Materials:
metal and perspex
Measurements:
overall: 310 x 260 mm
type:
model
credit:
Laver, W.G.