Information about SARS-CoV-2 is changing hourly, and members of the Association of Medical Illustrators have banded together to compile research and give the public the most up-to-date information possible. Based on these combined efforts and recent structures released weekly by the Protein Data Bank, Melanie Connolly of Chicago Medical Graphics and MeCo Visuals built this 3D rendering of the virus that causes COVID-19. The image includes numerous M surface protein dimers courtesy of the Feig lab, a few E pores (PDB 5X29) and several large glycosylated trimer S spikes courtesy of Rommie Amaro at the UCSD Amaro Lab. Nearly all S spikes are in the “closed” conformation, and a few show a single chain in the “open” conformation, indicating readiness to bind the ACE2 surface molecule found on human alveolar lung cells.

This image (one of a series of four total images) highlights the mechanism underlying a provider’s decisions to implement combination treatment modalities to improve aphasia symptoms in the brain of a patient with a left hemisphere stroke.

This award-winning piece was created for neuro-oncologist Dr. Charles Conrad. The image depicts a modified sero-type 5 adenovirus as it enters and replicates within glioblastoma tumor cells. The image was created using the following software: Pixologic® Zbrush, Autodesk® 3DS Max, and Adobe® Photoshop.

The purpose of this large-format illustration was to highlight the client's robust industry knowledge of antibody resources in a way that is aesthetically pleasing and invites being hung in a communal lab space while secondarily advertising the client's cutting-edge antibody production portfolio.

This GIF was created for Chicago Medical Graphics and Medtronic to show the fit and placement of an ulnar repair plate for surgical planning.

Image for Medtronic depicting entry and cross-section for the distal volar radius repair procedure.

Final model of a cross-sectional uterus featuring an intrauterine device, or IUD. This model was incorporated into a 3D animation for the Women's Health department in Dell Medical School at The University of Texas.

This proposed cover for Nature Biotechnology highlights the client’s technology for studying tumor samples. Using a tiny network of mirrors beneath the cancer slide, a researcher can choose to reflect light only on a particular type of tissue. Light-activated RNA oligos are then cleaved and sucked into a small tube above the tissue sample. This novel technique gives the researcher both morphological and genetic data from the same reusable sample.

3D model created from a mixture of patient inner ear micro-CT data and current literature on vestibulocochlear 3D shape. 

This collaborative illustration, created with Sam Bond, accompanies a paper introducing a new concept in rehabilitative intervention called the Clinical Arcade, utilizing commercially successful games and virtual reality programs to engage patients in cardiac rehabilitation. Taking inspiration from classic arcades and pinball machines, the piece playfully challenges practitioners to tilt their patient materials into the exploratory world of gaming. As the program is still in development, the purpose of the illustration is to excite and inspire experts in the field on this new framework, highlighting patient vitals and exercise progress while representing the patient’s role as the Player One of their own heart health.

This proposed cover for Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences highlights a novel thyroid cancer detection technique, relying on results from minimally-invasive biopsy as opposed to near-complete thyroid removal. This image was created for the Eberlin Research Group at The University of Texas at Austin.

This image is a piece from a larger work created for Northwestern University researchers, highlighting the mechanism for action of a novel cochlear implant.

This graphic, created for an article in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, highlights a novel thyroid cancer detection technique, relying on results from minimally-invasive biopsy as opposed to near-complete thyroid removal. This image was created for the Eberlin Research Group at The University of Texas at Austin.

This model was created in Pixologic® Zbrush from patient CT data isolated in Materialise Mimics® as part of a project research animation created for the Craniofacial Center at the University of Illinois at Chicago. In the full animation, alveolar cleft and alveolar bone graft surgical repair are visually explained to pediatric patients and their caregivers.

This piece was created for a litigation client to depict ankle fractures after trauma. The images were created from patient CT data and compared to patient X-rays using the following software: 3D Slicer, Pixologic® Zbrush, and Adobe® Photoshop.

This piece was created for a Microsurgical researcher at the University of Illinois at Chicago. The image depicts a
dyad of superficial vessels which can be used by Microsurgical residents to practice two different suture techniques.
Software included Adobe® Photoshop and Adobe® Illustrator.

This illustration clarifies the "water hammer" mechanism of brain sulcal damage as caused by internalized waves of cerebrospinal fluid after head trauma.

This playful style was developed for use in a web series on allergy manifestations.

Process model of a cross-sectional uterus featuring an intrauterine device, or IUD. This model was incorporated into a 3D animation for the Women's Health department in Dell Medical School at The University of Texas.

Repair of the proximal humerus, created for Medtronic, with tethering of the implanted plate into place.

This piece was created for a litigation client to depict S1 nerve root injury after a car wreck.
The images were created using the following software: Materialise® Mimics, Pixologic® Zbrush, Adobe® Illustrator, and Adobe® Photoshop.

Series image for Medtronic showing area of entry for a surgical procedure involving the elbow.

Every year, the Association of Medical Illustrators sells a deck of cards FULL of artwork from members, and they have a competition for the two joker cards. To pay tribute to the Texas-sized 2017 meeting, I wanted to add a rodeo clown to the mix!

This image combines traditional techniques, Adobe® Illustrator line art, and Adobe® Photoshop digital painting to highlight skeletal form during extreme backbends.

This piece was created for a litigation client to depict pelvic and rib fractures after a car wreck. The images were created from patient CT data using the following software: Materialise® Mimics, Pixologic® Zbrush, Adobe® Illustrator, and Adobe® Photoshop.

The purpose of this student piece was to create 3D models and a final still image using Autodesk® 3DS Max with Adobe® Photoshop post-compositing. The concept was to communicate the size relationships between monocytes and red blood cells.

Step-by-step clinical procedure created for first-year medical students at the Graham Clinical Performance Center, University of Illinois at Chicago. The challenge was to create a simple, two-tone brochure using Adobe® Illustrator.

The purpose of this student piece was to learn the tools and workflow of the 3D modeling software Pixologic® Zbrush. I chose to create a 3D model of the Procompsognathus, a small triassic-era dinosaur, to incorporate an organic look with interesting texture and lighting.

This process image, rendered in Zbrush, depicts the relationship of skeletal anatomy within the human arm, extending to the hand.

This model was created in Pixologic® Zbrush from patient CT data isolated in Materialise Mimics® as part of a project research animation created for the Craniofacial Center at the University of Illinois at Chicago. In the full animation, alveolar cleft and alveolar bone graft surgical repair are visually explained to pediatric patients and their caregivers.

This piece was created for a litigation client to depict repair of ankle fractures after trauma. The images were created from patient CT data and compared to patient X-ray using the following software: 3D Slicer, Pixologic® Zbrush, and Adobe® Photoshop.

This image was created as part of a series of ~120 illustrations for Medtronic to outline surgical planning and implantation of bone-stabilizing plates.