How to look at… Part 3/3: Viral assembly and release
In this series of three blogs, we present different assays and techniques that can be used to narrow down the mode of action of compounds or cellular proteins that interfere with the virus life cycle, and we focus on procedures that – with some optimisation – can be...
How to look at… Part 2/3: Viral replication
Gaining access to the cell is a prerequisite to establishing infection. Replication, however, is when a virus subverts the cell to generate multiple copies of itself. The nature of the virus genome determines the steps required to reach this stage. Positive-stranded...
The virus of the month: The making of dengue virus
The making of dengue virus Dengue virus (DENV) belongs to the family Flaviviridae (genus Flavivirus) and is transmitted to humans by Aedes mosquitoes (mainly Aedes aegypti). DENV infection is usually characterized by fever and severe joint pain, but more serious...
The Mysterious Origin of Viruses
Viruses: Evolution’s cheaters Viruses can be considered genetic parasites that hijack the resources of their cellular hosts. They are evolution’s cheaters. And they are doing well with this strategy: viruses parasitize all forms of cellular life and are the most...Page 13 of 29