Corona VRus Coaster: the virtual reality roller coaster of the proteins of SARS-CoV-2

The COVID-19 pandemic, caused by SARS-CoV-2, has driven significant research into the virus' structural components to elucidate its infection mechanisms and advance therapeutic strategies. However, the intricate architecture of viral proteins presents challenges for researchers and students in structural biology. To address this, we developed Corona VRus Coaster, a virtual reality (VR) application designed to facilitate molecular visualization. This tool enables immersive exploration of over 2000 viral proteins, including key structures such as the spike protein, nucleocapsid protein, main protease, and RNA-dependent RNA polymerase. Users can "ride" along the molecular backbones of these proteins, offering a distinctive way to explore their three-dimensional organization. Hand-tracking technology provides an intuitive interface for real-time interaction, while multiple visualization and navigation modes enhance the exploration experience. This application offers a novel and engaging approach to structural biology, supporting both research and education by making molecular structures more accessible and interactive. Corona VRus Coaster is available for download at http://mduse.com/coronavruscoaster .

Corona VRus Coaster was developed using Unity3D and integrates molecular visualization frameworks such as the Molecular Rift toolkit for VR rendering. Protein structures were sourced from the Protein Data Bank (PDB) and converted into VR-compatible formats using Open Babel and PyMOL. The application employs hand-tracking technology via the Meta Interaction SDK to facilitate direct manipulation of molecular structures. The visualization modes incorporate different molecular representations, including ribbon, surface, and space-filling models, rendered using GPU-accelerated shaders. Navigation is enabled through VR motion controllers and gaze-based selection mechanisms. The modular software architecture allows seamless integration of newly resolved protein structures, ensuring flexibility for future molecular visualization applications.