Ivan Konstantinov, Visual Science: «We have made the most accurate model of influenza in the world"

«IT-revolution, we already miss the bus, but in the biotechnology revolution can have time to take part", - says Ivan Konstantinov, founder of the studio of scientific graphics, animation and modeling Visual Science. His personal contribution Konstantinov makes creating stunning reliable model viruses, educational aids and exhibits for museums, textbooks and online courses for children and students. Graphic works Visual Science have received worldwide recognition. Today, founder of Visual Science visiting "MakRadara".

You worked at the Institute of Molecular Genetics, Russian Academy of Sciences, and that is where you get the idea to create Visual Science? What was the impetus?

The idea came earlier, when I was studying at the Faculty of Biology of Moscow State University in the department of molecular biology. We studied disciplines such as molecular biology, biochemistry, anatomy - that is what is associated with the explanation of the device of complex spatial objects. Even in the best of Western textbooks it surprised quite a low visual materials and methodical level. At the same time, we have seen the movies and games with a completely stunning 3D-graphics, which is used exclusively for the amusement and entertainment. So the idea to combine the technology of film, gaming and advertising industries with scientific expertise for effective submission of concepts and high-end data without losing reliability.

Not every scholar can become an entrepreneur. Were there any doubts or decision was unequivocal?

Entrepreneurship - this is one of the most effective ways of personal development. In addition, it is now possible to earn decent money in science, and 10 years ago it was different, so that the mercantile factor in the creation of the company was also present. In this sense, the business seemed the best option.

Visual Science Business Card - a simulation of viruses. And how do you can simulate what is not visible?

Clarify that in general our calling card is a hi-end scientific visualization in various fields. Of molecular biology and nanotechnology to medicine, nuclear physics, high-tech industries and so on. Returning to your question, I would say that is exactly what is not visible, and need to simulate. Scientific modeling that we do is that we gather data of hundreds of scientific publications and research of leading scientists, supplement the results of the simulation our research department and combine them together in a model with a high degree of accuracy and detail, which at the same time beautiful, interesting both for specialists and wide circle.

Where do viruses models of color come from? Is not it affects the accuracy of the model?

Indeed, the concept of color to the virus is not applicable, since they are smaller than the wavelength of light. But we chose a single color scheme, and here's why. Shades of gray, we show the components that the virus takes or steals from the host cell, in this case - a man. This demonstrates that the viruses are actively using material from human cells. Shades of other colors are displayed components, which are encoded by the genome of the virus itself. In this respect, it is interesting to compare the different viruses. One can see what their strategy, who is more used material of human cells, and some less. There are viruses, which consist almost entirely of viral components, and have the HIV virus, which is really a lot of uses of human cell components. Model viruses we create within the framework of the non-profit project "human zoo viruses" or Viral Park, - the world's first successful attempt to create a scientifically accurate model of human viruses from atomic detail.

The project is very interesting, but as a private company, you need to earn money. Who is your typical customer and what is the final product for the buyer?

We have 4 main areas. Firstly, this hi-end scientific visualization and animation. Within this framework, we are helping to present complex concepts and objects in a clear and understandable manner. This is interesting as the Nobel laureates, for which we create a schedule for lectures and bio- and nanotechnology, pharmaceutical companies, universities, and even glossy magazines. Almost all publishers of scientific literature in the world, as well as publishing popular science magazines are our clients.

The second direction - design and communication. This solution is a full cycle of design and communication tasks for pharmaceutical, medical, bionanotehnologicheskih companies. Our clients are a variety of companies, from small start-ups looking to the representatives of the top 10 largest pharmaceutical companies in the world.

The third direction - education. From plastic models and classic books to interactive courses augmented and virtual reality - all that is needed for the teaching of accurate high-tech disciplines in our time.

Fourth - educational aids and museum exhibits. Here, our customers are Darwin, Polytechnic museums and other natural science museums, which create a modern displays and exhibitions. We also advise companies that oversee the creation of new museums in the United States, and provide them with content.

How Visual Science arranged inside?

We have a computer center, which allows the calculation of resource-intensive projects. For example, Ebola virus consists of several millions of particles, and it is very resource-intensive task. The company's team consists of a number of professionals who live and work around the world, and a large pool of freelance science advisors. They are scientists from leading research centers, from Harvard to the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology. They help us to provide expertise at the highest level. In addition, the laboratory is located in Moscow, educational aids and museum exhibits. This small production, where we create prototypes and small series of museum exhibits.

How much it is to create a model of the virus? What are the boundaries in terms of money from the cheapest to the most expensive visualization?

If we talk about the illustrations, from a few hundred up to 40-50 thousand dollars per image. It all depends on the complexity of the object, the depth of expertise and the necessary level of detail. On some of the projects we work a year or more.

On the main page of your site is now showing off a model of influenza virus. It is the pride of your company. What created this model?

This is a good, but not very complex and not the latest model. This is by far the most reliable model of influenza virus in the world. By the way, soon we will show our new designs on a new site. The algorithm works as follows. In the first stage of the scientific department of the company analyzes all scientific publications on this subject. Then, based on research to create a list of components with known structures and components, which must be completed. In fact, the model of the virus - a puzzle of a large number of parts, from hundreds to millions. The main difficulty lies in the fact that the structure is not aware of all the fragments, and their interaction is almost always described. Defining the missing components, we aim for the department of molecular modeling and dynamics using bioinformatics methods "Finish" the missing pieces or at least to predict the most likely type of component and the most probable areas interactions. I note that at every stage we have a scientific adviser - as a rule, is the world's leading specialist in the study of the virus, the model that we have created. The next step - drawing up a model plan. This work is done by the coordinator, a specialist in two fields: computer graphics and science. Plan model is transferred to the department of 3D-modeling. Then, the model takes into visualization Front in the end - in the design department, which is already happening in the design of the model vehicle in which it is presented. This may be a poster, video, augmented or virtual reality application, and so on.

Are you using Apple technology for creating models and if so, what?

For daily work were the most comfortable MacBook Pro series to the maximum configuration. Unfortunately, we have to keep the virtual machines, because a large part of the scientific software made for Windows. Computing stations operate on Windows. As for the scientific simulation, then almost everything is done under Linux.

Now, while in 2015, do you believe in 2007, at the opening of the company, that all goes exactly? How do you see the future of Visual Science?

Believe - yes, I knew - no. Everything is changing very quickly, we made several pivots in the development process. We started out as a company that engaged only in biomedical imaging. It was too narrow niche. Customers wanted more. Until December 2014 we establish small-scale production of custom educational benefits, but the dollar jump made us change plans, the approach has become unprofitable. To the benefits will be back soon, though on different principles. In general, the future of the company I associate with education, popularization of accurate and scientifically credible approach to the knowledge of the world, the establishment of communication of the scientific community with a wider audience. This is particularly true of the natural sciences, which require precision, clear and understandable explanation.

Thank you and good luck in the development of the company.