Home Forums Blogs Articles Photos Videos Contact FAQ

Virology

Virology: Encyclopedia - Virology

Virology is the study of viruses and their properties. Virology is both the study of how a virus can affect a cell, and the biological and biochemical properties of a virus. Biochemically, viruses are very different to other living organisms and there is a great debate as to whether a virus can actually be considered alive. Most viruses consist of nucleic acid inside a protein shell, covered with antigens. Some viruses are more complex, and have a helix structure with 'off shoots', similar to a luna ...

Virology, molecular biology, phage, the virus of bacteria/prokaryotes, viral plaque, Important publications in virology, Virus classification, List of viruses

Virology: Encyclopedia - Virology

Virology

Virology is the study of viruses and their properties.

Virology is both the study of how a virus can affect a cell, and the biological and biochemical properties of a virus. Biochemically, viruses are very different to other living organisms and there is a great debate as to whether a virus can actually be considered alive. Most viruses consist of nucleic acid inside a protein shell, covered with antigens. Some viruses are more complex, and have a helix structure with 'off shoots', similar to a lunar lander, which invade cells with great effect.

In the immune system, antigens, which allow a virus to invade a cell, are 'neutralised' (bound to with an inert molecule) by antibodies. The presence of antigens, or antibodies, and their relative abundance can be measured using an ELISA test (Enzyme Linked Immuno-Sorbent Assay).

The presence of a virus can be measured using a technique named fluorescence microscopy. By using a conjugated (joined) monoclonal antibody and fluorescent molecule, which will attach to a virus's antigen covered protein shell, the presence of a virus can be determined under a UV microscope. The fluorescent color should appear in virus affected cells as they push out viruses from the cell using the endoplasmic reticular system of a cell, and also in the cytoplasm], however not in the nucleus (only the nucleic acid part of a virus penetrates the nuclear membrane).

Common viruses include: Influenza virus, Hepatitis viruses, Herpes virus (Coldsore family (Herpes Simplex)), Varicella (the family to which 'chicken pox' (Varicella Zoster) belongs) and HIV.

Properties include: