Analysis of virus entry and cellular membrane dynamics by single particle tracking
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Updated: May 24, 2026
Mass-Sensitive Particle Tracking to Characterize Membrane-Associated Macromolecule Dynamics
Published on: February 18, 2022
1Institute of Biochemistry, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
Abstract:
Viruses have evolved to mimic cellular ligands in order to gain access to their host cells for replication. Since viruses are simple in structure, they rely on host cells for all their transportation needs. Following single virus particles during the initial phase of infection, that is, virus entry into target cells, can reveal crucial information on the mechanism of pathogen infections and likewise cellular transport and membrane dynamics. Here, we give an overview on how to fluorescently label virus particles for live cell microscopy, and on how virus entry can be analyzed by single particle tracking experiments. Highlighted are strategies, on how to chemically introduce fluorophores into virions, and on how to extract quantitative information from live cell data.
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