Virus

A virus is a microscopic infectious agent that can reproduce only inside a host cell. Viruses infect all types of organisms: from animals and plants, to bacteria and archaea. Since the initial discovery of tobacco mosaic virus by Martinus Beijerinck in 1898, more than 5,000 types of virus have been described in detail, although most types of virus remain undiscovered. Viruses are ubiquitous, as they are found in almost every ecosystem on Earth, and are the most abundant type of biological entity on the planet. The study of viruses is known as virology, and is a branch of microbiology.

What is a Virus?

A virus is a small infectious agent that can only replicate inside the cells of another organism.

What is the Difference Between Bacteria and Viruses?

Virus History

Virus Origins

Virus Microbiology

Virus Classification

Virus Infection in Other Species

Human Diseases Caused by Viruses

Virus Uses in Virology

Virus Purification Methods

What are Filoviruses?

Antiviral Immunity and COVID-19

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What is Vertical Transmission?

What is a Viral Mutation?

What are Viral Clades?

Are Viruses a Lifeform?

What Are Giant Viruses?

Virus Eradication, Extinction, and Elimination Explained

Latest Virus News and Research

Single measles jab up to 2.6 times more likely to be ineffective in C-section born children

The dynamics of measles immunity at birth and following vaccination.

15 May 2024

COVID-19 virus can breach blood-retinal barrier, study finds

The blood-retinal barrier is designed to protect our vision from infections by preventing microbial pathogens from reaching the retina where they could trigger an inflammatory response with potential vision loss.

14 May 2024

Texas Tech lab helps detect first case of avian influenza transmission from mammal to human

Texas Tech University's Biological Threat Research Laboratory (BTRL) played a key role in detecting the first case of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) A (H5N1) transmitted from a mammal (dairy cow) to a human.

14 May 2024

Zika virus-specific synthetic molecule can differentiate between prior infections with different flaviviruses

A newly discovered Zika virus-specific synthetic molecule is capable of differentiating Zika-immune patient samples from samples of patients previously infected with the related dengue virus.

14 May 2024

Nursing homes wield pandemic immunity laws to duck wrongful death suits

In early 2020, with reports of covid-19 outbreaks making dire headlines, Trever Schapers worried about her father's safety in a nursing home in Queens.

14 May 2024

Experimental gene therapy shows promise for treating herpes infections

Researchers at Fred Hutch Cancer Center have found in pre-clinical studies that an experimental gene therapy for genital and oral herpes removed 90% or more of the infection and suppressed how much virus can be released from an infected individual, which suggests that the therapy would also reduce the spread of the virus.

13 May 2024

Genetic analysis suggests the sudden emergence of threatening viruses

Suddenly they appear and - like the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus - can trigger major epidemics: Viruses that nobody had on their radar.

13 May 2024

Plant virus-derived treatment shows promise against metastatic cancers

An experimental treatment made from a plant virus is effective at protecting against a broad range of metastatic cancers in mice, shows a new study from the University of California San Diego.

13 May 2024

Perspective delves into the rising threat of the MPX virus

Scientist at NIAID reviews the escalating global prevalence of the MPX virus, detailing its biology and transmission modes, and the urgent need for comprehensive research to understand and control its spread effectively.

13 May 2024

Bats in China found to carry novel herpesviruses, hinting at cross-species transmission dangers

Researchers in Wuhan, China, have identified new strains ofβ and γ-herpesviruses in bats. These findings reveal potential cross-species transmission risks and emphasize the need for vigilant monitoring of bat populations to prevent zoonotic diseases.

13 May 2024

Scripps Research professor emeritus John Johnson selected as member of the National Academy of Sciences

Scripps Research professor emeritus John Johnson, PhD, has been elected to the National Academy of Sciences—one of the highest honors given to scientists.

11 May 2024

Study traces the origin and spread of HIV in Indonesia

The HIV variant dominant in Indonesia was introduced from Thailand over multiple events.

10 May 2024

Can vitamin D3 supplementation reduce COVID-19 severity?

The effectiveness of Vitamin D3 supplementation in reducing intensive care unit admissions.

10 May 2024

Breakthrough vaccine strategy guides the immune system to generate HIV neutralizing antibodies

A team led by the Duke Human Vaccine Institute (DHVI) has developed a vaccine approach that works like a GPS, guiding the immune system through the specific steps to make broadly neutralizing antibodies against HIV.

9 May 2024

Novel bispecific antibodies show promise against evolving SARS-CoV-2 variants

Researchers developed bispecific antibodies targeting both the N-terminal and receptor binding domains of SARS-CoV-2, demonstrating significant neutralization across various Omicron variants, suggesting potential for new COVID-19 treatments.

9 May 2024

Study unveils crucial insights into how COVID-19 vaccines mitigate severe illness

A landmark study by scientists at the University of Oxford, has unveiled crucial insights into the way that COVID-19 vaccines mitigate severe illness in those who have been vaccinated.

8 May 2024

MS Australia urges government action on neurological research funding

MS Australia has welcomed the Government's pledge to invest in health and medical research but is concerned that not enough attention or funding is being dedicated to neurological research.

8 May 2024

Study shows cows harbor both human and avian flu receptors in their mammary glands

Study investigates the expression of influenza A virus (IAV) receptors in bovine respiratory, cerebral, and mammary tissues, revealing significant localization of human and duck receptors in mammary glands and predominant chicken receptors in the respiratory tract, which may influence the transmission and pathogenesis of IAV in cattle.

8 May 2024

New Quartet nanocage vaccine shows promise against coronavirus variants

Researchers have developed a novel vaccination approach using Quartet nanocages that display receptor-binding domains (RBDs) from different sarbecoviruses, showing enhanced immune responses and potential protection against diverse coronavirus strains including SARS-CoV-2 and its variants.

8 May 2024

New vaccine technology provides protection against broad range of coronaviruses in mice

Researchers have developed a new vaccine technology that has been shown in mice to provide protection against a broad range of coronaviruses with potential for future disease outbreaks - including ones we don't even know about.

6 May 2024