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Related Concept Videos

What are Viruses?00:50

What are Viruses?

Overview
Introduction to Virus01:28

Introduction to Virus

Viruses are unique biological entities that blur the boundary between living and non-living systems. Although they lack cellular structure and metabolic processes, they can exhibit characteristics of life when infecting a host. Their defining feature is a nucleic acid core, composed of either DNA or RNA, encapsulated within a protein coat called a capsid. This simple structure allows them to invade host cells and use their machinery for replication efficiently.Viral Structure and...
Viruses of Archaea01:29

Viruses of Archaea

Archaeal viruses play a crucial role in the ecosystems of extremophilic archaea, particularly those belonging to the phyla Euryarchaeota and Crenarchaeota. By shaping host evolution and facilitating gene transfer, these viruses influence microbial communities and contribute to genetic diversity in extreme environments. The archaea they infect thrive in acidic hot springs and hydrothermal vents characterized by high temperatures and low pH. Archaeal viruses exhibit remarkable structural...
Subviral Agents01:29

Subviral Agents

Subviral agents are infectious entities that resemble viruses but lack one or more viral components, such as a capsid or essential replication machinery. These agents include viroids, prions, and satellites, each possessing distinct structural and functional characteristics that influence their mode of infection and replication.Viroids are the simplest subviral agents, consisting of circular, single-stranded RNA molecules without a protein coat. They exclusively infect plants, relying entirely...
Viral Structure00:56

Viral Structure

Viruses are extraordinarily diverse in shape and size, but they all have several structural features in common. All viruses have a core that contains a DNA- or RNA-based genome. The core is surrounded by a protective coat of proteins called the capsid. The capsid is composed of subunits called capsomeres. The capsid and genome-containing core are together known as the nucleocapsid.
Inhibitors of Virion Maturation and Assembly01:19

Inhibitors of Virion Maturation and Assembly

As part of their replication cycle, certain viruses synthesize long precursor proteins called polyproteins within infected host cells. In human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), two major polyproteins are produced: Gag and Gag-Pol. The Gag polyprotein supplies the structural components of the virus, while Gag-Pol includes essential viral enzymes such as reverse transcriptase, integrase, and protease. After synthesis, these polyproteins move to the host cell membrane, where they assemble into an...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 16, 2026

Simple and Robust in vivo and in vitro Approach for Studying Virus Assembly
09:47

Simple and Robust in vivo and in vitro Approach for Studying Virus Assembly

Published on: March 1, 2012

Viruses as building blocks for materials and devices.

Martin Fischlechner1, Edwin Donath

  • 1Institute of Medical Physics and Biophysics, Leipzig University, Härtelstrasse 16-18, 04107 Leipzig, Germany.

Angewandte Chemie (International Ed. in English)
|March 10, 2007
PubMed
Summary

Viruses, viewed as organic nanoparticles, offer precisely defined structures for materials science applications. Their unique properties enable advanced nanomaterial engineering beyond biological uses.

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jul 16, 2026

Simple and Robust in vivo and in vitro Approach for Studying Virus Assembly
09:47

Simple and Robust in vivo and in vitro Approach for Studying Virus Assembly

Published on: March 1, 2012

Area of Science:

  • Biomaterials Science
  • Nanotechnology
  • Materials Science

Background:

  • Viruses are organic nanoparticles composed of proteins and nucleic acids.
  • Many viruses possess lipid envelopes and utilize host cell machinery for replication.
  • Viral surfaces have specific structures for host cell interaction and are precisely defined in size, shape, and functional groups.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To highlight viruses as versatile scaffolds in materials science for surface modifications.
  • To explore the potential of viruses, tailored by directed evolution, in creating novel nanomaterials.
  • To bridge life science techniques with engineering approaches for advanced nanomaterial development.

Main Methods:

  • Viewing viruses as organic nanoparticles from a materials science perspective.
  • Utilizing the inherent colocalization of genotype and phenotype in viruses for directed evolution.
  • Applying powerful life science techniques for engineering nanomaterials.

Main Results:

  • Viruses serve as effective scaffolds for covalent surface modifications due to their defined structure.
  • Directed evolution allows for tailoring viruses, enhancing their utility in nanomaterial design.
  • The integration of life science methodologies facilitates the creation of novel nanomaterials.

Conclusions:

  • Viruses are valuable organic nanoparticles for materials science, offering precise structural control.
  • Tailored viruses can be engineered into advanced nanomaterials with broad applications.
  • Life science techniques are crucial for developing innovative nanomaterials from viral platforms.