Prions (Pre-Visualization)

   This is a short pre-visualization for an animation describing how prions (small protein molecules implicated in mad cow disease and Alzheimer's) are believed to function in diseases of the brain.

  Of particular interest is the combination of computer generated (CG) elements that mix photorealism, animation and special effects to introduce the viewer to the heirarchy of components of the human brain. This pre-visualization ends prior to the introduction of the prion, and its putative mode of action in disease onset (namely plaque formation).

  The final animation is being produced as an educational element to air on television in the near future.