Artistic depiction of the 3D structure of Nipah virus RNA polymerase in the active state. The structure of the Nipah virus RNA polymerase is shown as a transparent surface representation (L protein in green, P protein in orange). The viral RNA, which serves as a template for the RNA polymerase, is shown in blue, the newly produced product RNA in red. The nucleotide substrate is shown in yellow. © Fernanda Sala / UMG

A mouse oocyte extrudes a polar body. This important step in meiosis ensures that the egg cell contains a single set of chromosomes. Chromosomes are stained in magenta, the spindle apparatus that separates the chromosome pairs is shown in green. © Ninadini Sharma / Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences

The 3D model helps researchers to better understand the structure and function of the mechanical spring on the ion channel. From left to right: Prof. Martin Göpfert, Dr. Thomas Effertz, Dr. Philip Hehlert. (Photo: Philip Hehlert)