GTAC explores the Life Sciences in virtual reality with Oculus Rift – News

GTAC has just received an Oculus Rift development kit and the centre is abuzz with what three-dimensional (3D) virtual environments we may be able to create for students with this new technology.

Oculus Rift is a headset that is able to display computer generated environments in 3D for the wearer. As this technology is still new, there are not many life science resources for the Oculus Rift. We are eager to see how we could develop resources so that we can use it in our programs.

Imagine being taken on a virtual tour of a cell in 3D, being part of the journey from DNA to protein while all around you a myriad of cellular processes are playing out.

Perhaps you might drop into the African grasslands where you play a game, experiencing the advantages of trending towards bipedal locomotion and then consider this within Hominin evolution.

Picture an enzyme in 3D as you rotate it to identify the position of its active site then sort through molecules, finding the one which will fit and ultimately block its activity.

With Jack Parry the GTAC scientific animator in the development team, our virtual environments will be scientifically accurate, detailed and where possible, interactive.

We are excited about the potential of this new technology. Stay tuned for future developments.