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Introduction to Virus

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...

Viral Structure

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.

What are Viruses?

What are Viruses?

Size and Structure of Viral Genomes

Size and Structure of Viral Genomes

Viral genomes exhibit remarkable diversity in size, structure, and composition, influencing their replication strategies and interactions with host cells. These genomes consist of either DNA or RNA and may be linear or circular. Additionally, they can be single-stranded or double-stranded, with each configuration affecting how the virus propagates within a host. RNA viruses, for instance, generally have smaller genomes than DNA viruses, a factor that contributes to their high mutation rates and...

Protein Complex Assembly

Protein Complex Assembly

Proteins can form homomeric complexes with another unit of the same protein or heteromeric complexes with different types. Most protein complexes self-assemble spontaneously via ordered pathways, while some proteins need assembly factors that guide their proper assembly. Despite the crowded intracellular environment, proteins usually interact with their correct partners and form functional complexes.
Many viruses self-assemble into a fully functional unit using the infected host cell to...

Intracellular Movement of Viruses and Bacteria

Intracellular Movement of Viruses and Bacteria

Intracellular bacteria and viruses often comprise a group of highly infectious pathogens that can cause several diseases. Bacterial pathogens include those belonging to the genus Rickettsia responsible for conditions such as rocky mountain spotted fever and the Mediterranean spotted fever; Chlamydia, a genus responsible for a sexually transmitted disease; Coxiella burnetii, an agent responsible for Q fever. Viral pathogens include vaccinia—a poxvirus, and herpes simplex virus—a virus that...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 18, 2026

Modeling The Lifecycle Of Ebola Virus Under Biosafety Level 2 Conditions With Virus-like Particles Containing Tetracistronic Minigenomes

Modeling The Lifecycle Of Ebola Virus Under Biosafety Level 2 Conditions With Virus-like Particles Containing Tetracistronic Minigenomes

Published on: September 27, 2014

Virus factories: biogenesis and structural design.

Isabel Fernández de Castro¹, Luca Volonté, Cristina Risco

¹Cell Structure Lab, Centro Nacional de Biotecnología, CNB-CSIC, Darwin 3, Campus de Cantoblanco, 28049 Madrid, Spain.

Cellular Microbiology

|September 18, 2012

Summary

Viruses assemble in specialized intracellular compartments called virus factories. Recent advances reveal how cell membranes, cytoskeleton, and mitochondria contribute to the dynamic biogenesis and architecture of these essential viral replication sites.

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Last Updated: May 18, 2026

Modeling The Lifecycle Of Ebola Virus Under Biosafety Level 2 Conditions With Virus-like Particles Containing Tetracistronic Minigenomes

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Published on: September 27, 2014

Generation and Assembly of Virus-Specific Nucleocapsids of the Respiratory Syncytial Virus

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

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

Published on: March 1, 2012

Area of Science:

Cell Biology
Virology
Structural Biology

Background:

Many viruses replicate and assemble within specialized intracellular compartments known as virus factories.
Recent technological advancements have significantly improved our understanding of these structures.

Purpose of the Study:

To review recent findings on the cell biology, biogenesis, and structure of virus factories.
To highlight the dynamic nature and key components involved in virus factory formation.

Main Methods:

Review of recent literature utilizing cellular, molecular, and structural biology techniques.
Analysis of findings from advanced microscopy techniques.

Main Results:

Virus factories are replication organelles built by viruses, recruiting cellular and viral components.
Cell membranes, cytoskeleton, and mitochondria play roles in biogenesis and function.
Dynamic inter-organelle contacts and changing structures are characteristic of virus factories.

Conclusions:

Virus factories are complex, dynamic structures crucial for viral replication and assembly.
Understanding their biogenesis and architecture is key to comprehending viral life cycles.