Visualization of complex molecular interactions in cell biology and immunology is challenging, yet necessary to understand how receptor-ligand engagement on the cell surface translates into immune activation and other functions. Understanding the molecular interactions in the submicroscopic world engenders advanced spatial awareness and requires the capacity to project 3D objects from the 2D rendition in publications and textbooks. 3D ball and stick models have traditionally been used in chemistry and molecular biology education as tactile and visual means to teach about molecular structures. However, these models do not represent biologically important receptor-ligand interactions. Students often assign incomplete biochemical meaning to the physical structures in textbooks because the way we conceive space is embodied. This presentation will describe the creation and successful implementation of laboratory modules in a 400-level immunology course for biology majors, with principles translatable to other upper-level courses. Students were engaged to familiarize with molecular structure, recognition, and interaction via complementary 3D printing and VR exploration using Nanome. Students physically and virtually manipulated two multi-part objects: a T-cell receptor and an antibody-antigen complex. Undergraduates reported that the lab sequences improved their functional and structural understanding of these challenging biomolecular complexes. Students also appreciated the personalized exploration of the structures in different representations, scales, and atomic resolution in the VR environment.
