How beautiful the enemy

This incredible piece of art is actually a 3-dimensional model of the H1N1 "swine" flu virus. It was designed by artist Luke Jerram as part of a series of microbial pathogens. Jerram has this to say about this collection:

Its great to be exploring the edges of scientific understanding and visualisation of a virus. Scientists aren't able to answer many of the questions I ask them, such as how the RNA is exactly fitted within the Capsid? At the moment, camera technology can't answer these questions either. I'm also pushing the boundaries of glassblowing. Some of my designs simply can't be created in glass. Some are simply too fragile and gravity would cause them to collapse under their own weight. So there's a very careful balancing act that needs to take place, between exploring current scientific knowledge and the limitations of glassblowing techniques.

A video of HIV being "made":
(Via Freakonomics)