Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

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.

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...

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...

What are Viruses?

What are Viruses?

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...

Mechanical Protein Functions

Mechanical Protein Functions

Proteins perform many mechanical functions in a cell. These proteins can be classified into two general categories- proteins that generate mechanical forces and proteins that are subjected to mechanical forces. Proteins providing mechanical support to the structure of the cell, such as keratin, are subjected to mechanical force, whereas proteins involved in cell movement and transport of molecules across cell membranes, such as an ion pump, are examples of generating mechanical force.

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Biologically Relevant, Cationic Residues in Human Rhinovirus Stabilize Capsid-Bound RNA Duplexes, and Restrict Capsid Flexibility.

Journal of molecular biology·2026

Same author

Viruses under mechanical force: Implications and applications.

Virus research·2026

Same author

Different mechanisms for human rhinovirus survival in the presence of deleterious amino acid substitutions at virion protein-protein or RNA-protein interfaces.

Journal of virology·2026

Same author

Engineering mechanical strength and resistance to fatigue of a nanostructured protein material through genetic removal of electrostatic repulsions.

Nanoscale·2025

Same author

Human Rhinovirus B14 with Non-functional Drug-binding Pockets Recovers Infectivity through Stereochemically Constrained Mutations that Restore Capsid Flexibility.

Journal of molecular biology·2025

Same author

Introduction: The Structural Basis of Virus Function.

Sub-cellular biochemistry·2024

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 10, 2026

Analysis of the Solvent Accessibility of Cysteine Residues on Maize rayado fino virus Virus-like Particles Produced in Nicotiana benthamiana Plants and Cross-linking of Peptides to VLPs

Analysis of the Solvent Accessibility of Cysteine Residues on Maize rayado fino virus Virus-like Particles Produced in Nicotiana benthamiana Plants and Cross-linking of Peptides to VLPs

Published on: February 14, 2013

Mechanical properties of viruses.

Pedro J de Pablo¹, Mauricio G Mateu

¹Department of Physics of the Condensed Matter, C03, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Campus de Cantoblanco, 28049, Madrid, Spain, p.j.depablo@uam.es.

Sub-Cellular Biochemistry

|June 6, 2013

Summary

Structural biology now includes single-molecule techniques to explore virus mechanics, revealing how viruses withstand and utilize forces. This research bridges virology and materials science by examining viral physical properties and their biological roles.

More Related Videos

Alternative In Vitro Methods for the Determination of Viral Capsid Structural Integrity

Alternative In Vitro Methods for the Determination of Viral Capsid Structural Integrity

Published on: November 16, 2017

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

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

Published on: July 27, 2021

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: May 10, 2026

Analysis of the Solvent Accessibility of Cysteine Residues on Maize rayado fino virus Virus-like Particles Produced in Nicotiana benthamiana Plants and Cross-linking of Peptides to VLPs

Analysis of the Solvent Accessibility of Cysteine Residues on Maize rayado fino virus Virus-like Particles Produced in Nicotiana benthamiana Plants and Cross-linking of Peptides to VLPs

Published on: February 14, 2013

Alternative In Vitro Methods for the Determination of Viral Capsid Structural Integrity

Alternative In Vitro Methods for the Determination of Viral Capsid Structural Integrity

Published on: November 16, 2017

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

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

Published on: July 27, 2021

Area of Science:

Structural biology
Biophysics
Materials science

Background:

Classic structural biology methods reveal virus structure-property-function relationships.
Single-molecule techniques complement traditional methods for studying viral physical properties.
Mechanical properties like stiffness and elasticity are crucial for understanding virus behavior.

Purpose of the Study:

To explore the mechanical properties of virus particles.
To identify the structural determinants of these mechanical properties.
To elucidate the biological implications of virus mechanics.

Main Methods:

Atomic force microscopy
Optical tweezers
Single-molecule force spectroscopy

Main Results:

Virus mechanics studies reveal properties like stiffness, elasticity, and material fatigue.
Physical parameters of viruses are being investigated as "soft" biological matter and nano-objects.
Evidence suggests viruses have adapted to internal and external forces.

Conclusions:

Virus mechanics offers insights into materials science and biological nano-objects.
Understanding viral mechanical properties is key to understanding their biological roles.
Viruses may actively use forces, indicating adaptation to their physical environment.