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Related Concept Videos

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.
Size and Structure of Viral Genomes01:26

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...
Cryo-electron Microscopy01:28

Cryo-electron Microscopy

Conventional electron microscopy (EM) involves dehydration, fixation, and staining of biological samples, which distorts the native state of biological molecules and results in several artifacts. Also, the high-energy electron beam damages the sample and makes it difficult to obtain high-resolution images. These issues can be addressed using cryo-EM, which uses frozen samples and gentler electron beams. The technique was developed by Jacques Dubochet, Joachim Frank, and Richard Henderson, for...
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...
What are Viruses?00:50

What are Viruses?

Overview
Electron Microscope Tomography and Single-particle Reconstruction01:07

Electron Microscope Tomography and Single-particle Reconstruction

Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) can be used to determine the 3D structure of biological samples with the help of techniques such as electron microscope tomography and single-particle reconstruction. While single-particle reconstruction can examine macromolecules and macromolecular complexes in vitro conditions only, tomography permits the study of cell components or small cells in vivo.
Electron Tomography
Electron tomography can be performed either in TEM or STEM (scanning transmission...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 10, 2026

Averaging of Viral Envelope Glycoprotein Spikes from Electron Cryotomography Reconstructions using Jsubtomo
08:29

Averaging of Viral Envelope Glycoprotein Spikes from Electron Cryotomography Reconstructions using Jsubtomo

Published on: October 21, 2014

Combined approaches to study virus structures.

Daniel Badia-Martinez1, Hanna M Oksanen, David I Stuart

  • 1Structural Biology Unit, CICbioGUNE, CIBERehd, Bizkaia Technology Park, 48160, Derio, Spain.

Sub-Cellular Biochemistry
|June 6, 2013
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Viruses protect their genetic material while undergoing structural changes for infection. Combining techniques like X-ray crystallography and electron microscopy reveals complex viral structures and dynamics.

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Advancing High-Resolution Imaging of Virus Assemblies in Liquid and Ice
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Advancing High-Resolution Imaging of Virus Assemblies in Liquid and Ice

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

Published on: March 1, 2012

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: May 10, 2026

Averaging of Viral Envelope Glycoprotein Spikes from Electron Cryotomography Reconstructions using Jsubtomo
08:29

Averaging of Viral Envelope Glycoprotein Spikes from Electron Cryotomography Reconstructions using Jsubtomo

Published on: October 21, 2014

Advancing High-Resolution Imaging of Virus Assemblies in Liquid and Ice
08:31

Advancing High-Resolution Imaging of Virus Assemblies in Liquid and Ice

Published on: July 20, 2022

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:

  • Structural biology
  • Virology
  • Biophysics

Background:

  • Viruses require a protective capsid for genome integrity.
  • Viral propagation involves significant conformational changes.
  • Understanding viral structure is key to controlling infection.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To illustrate the combination of structural techniques for complex virus investigation.
  • To highlight the power of hybrid methods in structural virology.

Main Methods:

  • X-ray crystallography
  • Electron microscopy
  • Hybrid structural methods

Main Results:

  • Demonstrated the application of combined techniques to solve complex viral structures.
  • Showcased how static and dynamic processes can be studied.
  • Provided examples of successful hybrid method approaches.

Conclusions:

  • Hybrid structural methods are powerful tools for elucidating complex viral architectures.
  • Combining multiple techniques provides a comprehensive understanding of viral structure and dynamics.
  • This integrated approach is essential for advancing virology research.