A tangible and interactive viral model for enhancing virology education: using hepatitis B virus as a model system.

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infections continue to pose a significant global health challenge each year, highlighting the critical need for a comprehensive understanding of this hepatotropic DNA virus within the context of virology education. Many undergraduate students, however, struggle to master the complex architecture of HBV, particularly the three-dimensional structure of the Dane particle and the immunological principles underlying the Hepatitis B Panel, when relying solely on traditional two-dimensional representations. To address this educational gap, we developed a tangible, interactive, and cost-effective model using 3D-printed components, transparent acrylic, and magnetic elements. Key features of the model include a magnet-enhanced design that replicates the specific binding logic of Sandwich and Competitive ELISA, a bisected capsid that reveals internal genomic material, and a dual-purpose base that simulates host receptor to illustrate viral entry and therapeutic interventions. By transforming molecular interactions into a tactile experience, this cost-effective and biohazard-free model enhances student comprehension of HBV pathogenesis and clinical diagnostics, thereby supporting global efforts to expand hepatitis testing and education.