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. The word is from the Latin ''virus'' referring to poison and other noxious substances, first used in English in 1392. ''Virulent'', from Latin ''virulentus'' (poisonous), dates to 1400. A meaning of "agent that causes infectious disease" is first recorded in 1728, The term ''virion'' is also used to refer to a single infective viral particle. The plural is "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

Latest Virus News and Research

Researchers study the role of viral intramembrane interactions in controlling programmed cell death

A research group from the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of the University of Valencia (UV), in coordination with the National Centre for Biotechnology (CNB) of the CSIC, has studied the role of the interactions within the membrane of proteins of viral families Herpesviridae and Poxviridae in the control of programmed cell death.

27 Nov 2020

New system allows for individual supply of disinfected air in enclosed spaces for daily use

Researchers from the University of Alicante Institute of Chemical Processes Engineering have developed a procedure that allows for the individual supply of disinfected air in enclosed spaces for daily use.

27 Nov 2020

Resveratrol shows potential as SARS-CoV-2 antiviral, study finds

A recent study reveals that resveratrol, a phenolic compound produced by spermatophytes, can inhibit the viral replication SARS-CoV-2.

27 Nov 2020

SARS-CoV-2 launches multipronged attack against host cell protein synthesis, study finds

An interesting new study throws a flood of light on how SARS-CoV-2 accomplishes its mission to infect and replicate within host cells while evading the host immune response.

27 Nov 2020

SARS-CoV-2 spike protein shows slow but stable evolution, study finds

A new preprint published in November 2020 describes the seven different clades into which the virus has diversified.

27 Nov 2020

Monoclonal antibody HB27 shows potent neutralizing activity against SARS-CoV-2

A new study reports a very promising anti-SARS-CoV-2 monoclonal antibody, HB27, that appears to have two distinct mechanisms of action inhibiting the virus-host cell interaction and subsequent infection.

27 Nov 2020

Could beta-blockers be a potential treatment for COVID-19?

News-Medical spoke to researchers about their latest research into beta-blockers, and how they could potentially be used to treat COVID-19.

27 Nov 2020

Study looks at the impact of COVID-19 lockdown on pediatric emergency admissions

Decreases in hospital attendances and admissions amid fears of COVID-19 may result in avoidable harm for under 16s say researchers, who warn against the "unintended consequences of pandemic control measures".

27 Nov 2020

N439K mutation of SARS-CoV-2 may be more infectious and antibody resistant than Wuhan strain

Researchers from the Harbin Institute of Technology, China, modeled the complexes formed between the RBD and the human ACE2 and monoclonal antibodies.

27 Nov 2020

Asian countries need support to get equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines

As three pharma majors, Pfizer Inc with partner BioNTech SE, Moderna Inc. and AstraZeneca Plc announced this month the effectiveness of their experimental vaccines in preventing COVID-19, there were no guarantees that developing countries will get their fair share.

27 Nov 2020

Zonitise launches antimicrobial surface coating that constantly eliminates harmful pathogens

A biotech company has launched an antimicrobial surface treatment proven to kill harmful bacteria and viruses including TGEV coronavirus, the model virus for SARS COV 2, for up to twelve months after one application.

27 Nov 2020

Siemens Healthineers SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibody test demonstrates ability to detect neutralizing antibodies

Siemens Healthineers has announced its SARS-CoV-2 IgG Antibody Test has proven to measure neutralizing antibodies and has achieved CE Mark. The test is an enhanced version of the assay which became available globally this summer.

From Siemens Healthineers 27 Nov 2020

Immunonutrition may improve COVID-19 patients' recovery

Researchers duo Emma Derbyshire and Joanne Delange from the Nutritional Insight, Surrey, United Kingdom, explore the role of immunonutrition – nutrition that boosts or influences the immune system for those over 65 years of age in COVID-19. Their study titled, “COVID-19: is there a role for immunonutrition, particularly in the over 65s?,” was released in the latest issue of the BMJ Nutrition, Prevention and Health.

26 Nov 2020

Transgenic mouse model could recapitulate severe COVID-19 in humans

Researchers in the United States and Canada have described the potential for a transgenic mouse model to serve as an effective platform for the study of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection and severe disease course in humans.

26 Nov 2020

Virus

Overview

Virus History

Virus Origins

Virus Microbiology

Feature Articles

Virus Classification

Virus Infection in Other Species

Human Diseases Caused by Viruses

Virus Uses in Virology

Virus Purification Methods

Latest Virus News and Research

Researchers study the role of viral intramembrane interactions in controlling programmed cell death

New system allows for individual supply of disinfected air in enclosed spaces for daily use

Resveratrol shows potential as SARS-CoV-2 antiviral, study finds

SARS-CoV-2 launches multipronged attack against host cell protein synthesis, study finds

SARS-CoV-2 spike protein shows slow but stable evolution, study finds

Monoclonal antibody HB27 shows potent neutralizing activity against SARS-CoV-2

Could beta-blockers be a potential treatment for COVID-19?

Study looks at the impact of COVID-19 lockdown on pediatric emergency admissions

N439K mutation of SARS-CoV-2 may be more infectious and antibody resistant than Wuhan strain

Asian countries need support to get equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines

Zonitise launches antimicrobial surface coating that constantly eliminates harmful pathogens

Siemens Healthineers SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibody test demonstrates ability to detect neutralizing antibodies

Immunonutrition may improve COVID-19 patients' recovery

Transgenic mouse model could recapitulate severe COVID-19 in humans

COVID-19 may trigger recurrent Guillain–Barré Syndrome episodes, a case study shows

SARS-CoV-2 immunity can sustain for at least eight months, study finds

Recurrent SARS-CoV-2 mutations do not significantly increase transmissibility, says study

Researchers develop synthetic defective SARS-CoV-2 genome that inhibits viral replication

Antihypertensive drugs may reduce COVID-19 mortality in at-risk patients

Phycobilins found to inhibit SARS-CoV-2 enzymes in vitro

Could beta-blockers be a potential treatment for COVID-19?

The American Lung Association say to wear masks to stop the spread of COVID-19; Here’s why

The Prospects of Semaglutide for Treatment of Type 2 Diabetes Patients

Virus

Overview

Feature Articles

Virus Classification

Virus Infection in Other Species

Human Diseases Caused by Viruses

Virus Uses in Virology

Virus Purification Methods

Latest Virus News and Research

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