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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.

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Apr 12, 2026

Ultrasensitive Detection of Biomarkers by Using a Molecular Imprinting Based Capacitive Biosensor

Ultrasensitive Detection of Biomarkers by Using a Molecular Imprinting Based Capacitive Biosensor

Published on: February 16, 2018

Label-free capacitance-based identification of viruses.

Mahmoud Al Ahmad¹, Farah Mustafa², Lizna M Ali³

¹Department of Electrical Engineering, College of Engineering, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, UAE.

Scientific Reports

|May 14, 2015

Summary

This study introduces a novel electrical method to quantify and identify viruses in culture medium. The technique measures electrical capacitance per virus particle, enabling rapid and sensitive detection of viral concentrations.

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Last Updated: Apr 12, 2026

Ultrasensitive Detection of Biomarkers by Using a Molecular Imprinting Based Capacitive Biosensor

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Published on: February 16, 2018

Quantifying Human Norovirus Virus-like Particles Binding to Commensal Bacteria Using Flow Cytometry

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Published on: April 29, 2020

Flow Virometry to Analyze Antigenic Spectra of Virions and Extracellular Vesicles

Flow Virometry to Analyze Antigenic Spectra of Virions and Extracellular Vesicles

Published on: January 25, 2017

Area of Science:

Biophysics
Nanotechnology
Virology

Background:

Accurate quantification and identification of viruses are crucial for diagnostics and research.
Current methods often require pre-processing, limiting speed and sensitivity.
Developing label-free, rapid detection techniques is a significant challenge.

Purpose of the Study:

To develop and validate a label-free electrical method for quantifying and identifying single virus particles in suspension.
To determine the effective dielectric constant of viruses for compositional analysis and type identification.
To assess the sensitivity and specificity of the electrical method for virus detection.

Main Methods:

Measuring the electrical capacitance of virus-suspension mixtures.
De-embedding the capacitance contribution of the culture medium.
Calculating the electrical capacitance per virus particle to determine its dielectric constant.
Validating results with biochemical quantification and testing on known nanoparticles.

Main Results:

The electrical capacitance per virus particle was successfully used to identify virus types based on their dielectric properties.
The method demonstrated high sensitivity, detecting a few hundred virus particles per milliliter within minutes.
The technique was also effective in identifying non-organic nanoparticles with known concentrations.
Results were validated using biochemical quantification for two tested virus types.

Conclusions:

The proposed electrical capacitance method offers a rapid, sensitive, and specific approach for virus quantification and identification.
This label-free technique bypasses the need for pre-processing, simplifying sample handling.
The method's ability to determine the effective dielectric constant provides insights into virus composition.
This technique holds potential for applications in diagnostics, research, and nanotechnology.