2D Scientific Animation – ZHAW Zurich’s Phage Therapy Research

Antibiotic resistance is a growing threat, demanding new, practical solutions.
At the Zurich University of Applied Sciences (ZHAW), researchers are exploring a promising one: bacteriophages – the natural viruses that target and kill bacteria.

This 2D scientific animation brings their research to life in a clear and engaging way.

Scientific Animation That Shows How Phages Work

In this scientific animation for ZHAW, we explain how bacteriophages infect and destroy harmful bacteria, even those resistant to antibiotics. The key: tailspike proteins, which help phages recognize and bind to bacterial surfaces. These proteins then degrade the complex sugar layer around bacteria, clearing a path for the virus to enter and kill the cell.

ZHAW scientists are studying these proteins in detail—isolating them, testing their binding efficiency, and measuring how well they break down bacterial defenses. The work could lead to phage-based treatments for medical use and even applications in food safety.

2D Scientific Animation for a Complex Research Topic

When ZHAW contacted us, they needed a visual tool to support their phage therapy research. The challenge? Explaining a technically dense topic to students, colleagues, and the general public—without oversimplifying the science.

Dr. Sabina Gerber and her team had a clear goal: Make the content accurate but approachable.

Behind the Scenes: Finding the Right Balance

We quickly discovered a few key hurdles:

  • Explaining the bacterial sugar layer: We had to nail how it works—does it block or help phage binding? Our script team went back and forth with ZHAW until the science and messaging aligned.
  • Humanizing the scientists: Sabina shared photos of her team and asked us to show them as “likeable and alive”—not cartoony, not hyper-realistic. After a few iterations, we found the right visual tone.
  • Meeting multiple requests: From scientific accuracy to subtitle timing and last-minute public-use edits, ZHAW’s communications team had specific needs. We adapted at each stage, even after delivery.

The Result: A 2D Scientific Animation That Works

ZHAW now uses the final animation:

  • In academic settings
  • On public outreach platforms
  • As part of internal training and research communication

It explains phage therapy in a clear, engaging way that connects with different audiences—exactly what scientific animation should do.

Need a 2D Scientific Animation to Explain Your Research?

Whether you’re working on phages, proteins, platforms, or pipelines, we help biotech and academic teams simplify their science with custom 2D animations.

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