Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 24, 2026

Open-source Single-particle Analysis for Super-resolution Microscopy with VirusMapper
Published on: April 9, 2017
Viruses as nanoparticles: structure versus collective dynamics
S Sirotkin1, A Mermet1, M Bergoin2
1Institut Lumière Matière, Université de Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, UMR CNRS 5306, 69622 Villeurbanne, France.
Abstract:
In order to test the application of the "nanoparticle" concept to viruses in terms of low-frequency dynamics, large viruses (140-190 nm) were compared to similar-sized polymer colloids using ultra-small-angle x-ray scattering and very-low-frequency Raman or Brillouin scattering. While both viruses and polymer colloids show comparable highly defined morphologies, with comparable abilities of forming self-assembled structures, their respective abilities to confine detectable acoustic vibrations, as expected for such monodisperse systems, differed. Possible reasons for these different behaviors are discussed.
Related Concept Videos
Viral Structure
Size and Structure of Viral Genomes
Introduction to Virus
What are Viruses?
Viruses of Archaea
Intracellular Movement of Viruses and Bacteria

