
mAb targeting multiple myeloma
Feb 22, 2022Sequence from 5-minute MOA that provides insight and details for a monoclonal antibody (mAb) designed to induce programmed tumor cell death (apoptosis) and immunomodulatory activity.
For this mechanism of action video, our task was to create a science story that would depict several key features: how the mAb finds and binds to myeloma cells and exposes them for elimination, how it boosts cells of the immune system, and how this targeted immunotherapy can kill myeloma cells directly.
Tagged: antibody, biomedical communications, biotech, blood cancer, cancer, cancer immunotherapy, cancer treatment, CD38, hybrid medical, immunotherapy, leukemia, lymphoma, medical animation, medical marketing, monoclonal antibodies, multiple myeloma, myeloid, myeloma awareness, oncology, scientific animation, visual science

Diabetic nephropathy & chronic kidney disease
Feb 21, 2022A few frames from animation that depicts the progression of diabetic nephropathy, a driver of chronic kidney disease in people with diabetes.
Here in the glomerulus, the images show progressive damage to the tubules, damage to podocytes (including loss of them), and scarring as a result of mesangial cells excreting extracellular matrix.
The last image depicts contracted, granular kidneys from long-term hypertension.
Animation was created for client’s episode on chronic kidney disease and the relationship between type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular risk in patients with advanced CKD.
Tagged: anatomy art, biomedical communications, biotech, bowman’s capsule, chronic kidney disease, CKD, diatbetic nephropathy, digital health, extracellular matrix, glomerular disease, glomerular hyperfiltration, hybrid medical, medical animation, medical art, medical marketing, medical visualization, mesangial cells, Minneapolis Minnesota, nephrology, podocytes, scientific animation

The pathophysiology of sickle cell disease
Jan 15, 2022Segment from a 4-minute animation that explores the pathophysiology of sickle cell disease and the progressive, tissue-damaging effects of chronic hemolysis and anemia.
Our assignment: visually depict several key critical aspects of the SCD story, such as hemoglobin S (HbS) polymerization, red blood cell sickling and tethering, vaso-occlusion, and chronic hemolysis.
Sickled red blood cells promote inflammation, obstruct the vasculature, injure the endothelium, and may lead to ischemic damage in vital organs.
Tagged: anemia, biology, biomedical communications, biotech, blood flow, HbS polymer formation, HbS polymerization, hemoglobin S, hemolysis, hybrid medical, intravascular hemolysis, medical animation, medical marketing, pharma, SCD damage, scientific animation, sickle cell, sickle cell anemia, sickle cell awareness, sickle cell disease, sickle cell warrior, vascular, vaso-occlusion, visual science

Targeting DNA methylation
Mar 04, 2021Sequence from project that provides insight on the role aberrant DNA methylation has in the abnormalities responsible for cancer cell growth, especially hematological malignancies such as leukemia, lymphoma, and multiple myeloma.
In this sequence, we begin with a view of “normal” DNA methylation, and then change to a view of hypermethylation underway.
Eventually, decitabine – a hypomethylating agent – can be seen moving into place and blocking DNA methyltransferase (DNMT), leading to the degradation of DNMT and eventual hypomethylation.
Targeting DNA methylation with DNA hypomethylating agents (HMAs) acts to reprogram tumor cells to a more normal-like state.
Tagged: aberrant DNA methylation patterns, abnormal methylation, biomedical communications, biotech, cancer, cedazuridine, cytidine deaminase, decitabine, DNA, DNA methylation, DNA methyltransferase inhibitors, DNMT degradation, epigenetic cancer therapy, gene expression, genetic mutations, genetics, hematological malignancies, histones, hybrid medical, hypermethylation, hypomethylating agents, hypomethylation, leukemia, medical animation, medical marketing, nucleosome, oncology, scientific animation

The healing power of sleep
May 17, 2021Sequence from immersive 1.5-minute 360° animation where we explore the benefits of sleep.
Here within the neural microspace of the brain, we depict the “cleansing system” of the brain: the glymphatic system.
Just like the rest of your body, the brain accumulates waste. Recent discoveries have shown that cerebral spinal fluid “flushes” debris and metabolic toxins out of the neural microspace during the deep sleep phase.
We also watch the heart beating (and lungs breathing) inside the chest cavity and discuss the role of sleep in reducing your risk for cardiovascular diseases.
Tagged: 360 animation, benefits of sleep, biology, biomedical communications, biotech, daytime sleepiness, glymphatic system, healing power of sleep, hybrid medical, importance of sleep, insufficient sleep, medical animation, medical marketing, medical visualization, Minneapolis Minnesota, pharma, poor sleep, science visuals, scientific animation, sleep animation, sleep deprivation, sleep disorders, sleeplessness, WebMD animation

The endocannabinoid system (ECS)
Jan 15, 20211.5-minute animation created for CME event.
Our assignment included the development of the science story and creation of key events that would inform and educate viewers on the physiologic functions associated with the endocannabinoid system (ECS), the role of CB1 retrograde signaling, as well as the enzymes involved in the degradation of endocannabinoids.
We had the pleasure and honor of collaborating closely with the speaker of this event; she is also noted for her discovery of the CB1 receptor for cannabinoid agonists.
The target audience included neurologists, primary care physicians, and pediatricians.
Tagged: anandamide, biology, biomedical communications, biotech, cannabinoid animation, cannabis, CB1, CB1 and CB2 receptors, ECS, endocannabinoid system, endocannabinoids, hybrid medical, medical animation, medical marketing, medical visualization, Minneapolis Minnesota, pharma, phytocannabinoids, presynaptic neuron, retrograde signaling, science visuals, scientific animation

11-foot-tall interactive beating heart installation
Jul 30, 2019Large-scale, interactive installation featuring a beating heart and flow simulation of the body’s circulatory system.
The heartbeat and blood flow respond interactively to visitors in the facility: as more people enter the University Center, the heart rate elevates; as they leave, the heartbeat lowers.
Created in the visual style of an MRI, the 11-foot-tall, 8-foot-wide installation serves as a living welcome to visitors of the Texas Tech Health Sciences Center.
This animation features a few of the sequences we produced for the final piece, including the particle simulations of blood pressure and flow.
Tagged: art installation, biology, biotech, blood flow, blood pressure, booth design, booth installation, cardiology, conference, exhibit, healthcare, heart anatomy, heart health, hybrid medical, interactive art, interactive health, interactive media, medical animation, new media, pharma, scientific animation, trade show, tradeshow, tradeshow display, vascular, visual science

Sickle cell vaso-occlusion
Nov 02, 2020Here inside this blood vessel, the circulation of red blood cells is obstructed by sickled red blood cells aggregating, sticking together, and leading to an event known as a vaso-occlusive crisis — a central characteristic of sickle cell disease (SCD)
As we zoom out, we are able to see more damage being done in other microvessels.
Sickled red blood cells promote inflammation, obstruct the vasculature, injure the endothelium, and may lead to ischemic damage in vital organs.
Tagged: anemia, biology, biomedical communications, biotech, blood flow, cells, HbS polymerization, hemoglobin S, hemolysis, hybrid medical, hybrid medical animation, inflammation, ischemic damage, medical animation, pharma, rbc, red blood cells, SCD damage, scientific animation, sickle cell, sickle cell animation, sickle cell awareness, sickle cell disease, sickle cell warrior, vascular, vaso-occlusion, vessel, visual science