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

Scientists investigate how immune system's T cells could fight many coronaviruses at once

Scientists at La Jolla Institute for Immunology (LJI) are investigating how the immune system's T cells react to a wide variety of coronaviruses, ranging from SARS to common cold coronaviruses.

1 Jun 2023

St. Jude discover NLRP12 as a direct bridge from hemolysis to inflammatory disease

Infections and other diseases can cause red blood cells to rupture, releasing the oxygen-binding molecule hemoglobin, which breaks down into heme.

1 Jun 2023

Artificial viral vectors constructed from bacteriophage T4 show promise for advanced gene delivery

Research presents an assembly-line approach using bacteriophage T4 components to construct artificial viral vectors (AVVs). These AVVs have the potential to revolutionize gene therapies and personalized medicine by enabling the efficient delivery of biomolecules for molecular repairs and genome remodeling.

1 Jun 2023

Unique combination of intestinal bacteria in Japanese centenarians may be the key to long life

We are pursuing the dream of eternal life. We fast to stay healthy. And each year, we spend billions of kroner on treatment to make sure we stay alive. But some people turn 100 years old all by themselves. Why is that?

31 May 2023

Wastewater data unveils underreported Mpox cases in Texas

A recent study characterizes the analytical sensitivity of three assays used to detect MPXV in wastewater samples.

31 May 2023

Study: 1 in 6 unvaccinated individuals still experiencing covid-19 effects up to two years after infection

Around 1 in 6 unvaccinated individuals say they are still experiencing health effects of covid-19 up to two years after infection, finds a study from Switzerland published by The BMJ today.

31 May 2023

New variants of human metapneumovirus surge in Spain post-COVID, highlighting evolution and impact

Investigating Human metapneumovirus (HMPV) prevalence, genetic diversity, and evolution in respiratory tract infections (RTIs) for better understanding and management.

31 May 2023

Spike in childhood human metapneumovirus infections in Western Australia linked to reduced COVID-19 measures

Researchers investigated the prevalence of human metapneumovirus through 2020 considering the implementation of NPIs due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

31 May 2023

Scientists develop new immuno-therapeutic approach to target brain metastatic melanomas

Acting as a team, twin stem cells activate the immune system to suppress tumor growth and prolong survival in representative preclinical models.

31 May 2023

UNIGE researchers identify how the influenza A virus manages to penetrate host cells

Influenza epidemics, caused by influenza A or B viruses, result in acute respiratory infection. They kill half a million people worldwide every year.

31 May 2023

The immunopathology of post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection: highlighting the knowledge gaps

The immunopathology of post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC).

31 May 2023

Mpox incidence across rural and urban areas in the US

Researchers explored the differences in rural and urban mpox incidence in the United States (US).

31 May 2023

North American arrival of A(H5N1) influenza raises concerns of potential pandemic outbreak

Rapid global expansion of highly pathogenic avian influenza A(H5N1) viruses in 2021, including reassortment with North American strains, highlights the need for proactive measures to combat their spread and mitigate the risk of a potential pandemic originating from these reassortants.

31 May 2023

Experimental decoy provides long-term protection from SARS-Cov-2 infection

An experimental "decoy" provided long-term protection from infection by the pandemic virus in mice, a new study finds.

30 May 2023

Genetic change supercharged spread and severity of epizootic H5N1 avian influenza virus

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital scientists discovered how the current epizootic H5N1 avian influenza virus (bird flu) gained new genes and greater virulence as it spread west.

30 May 2023

New method may help identify the essential ingredients for making an effective HIV vaccine

Since it was identified in 1984 as the cause of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS), the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) has infected more than 80 million people and been responsible for some 40 million deaths worldwide, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

30 May 2023

Researchers investigate whether COVID-19 lockdowns and vaccinations are complements or substitutes

Worldwide, one of the initial responses to the COVID-19 virus was locking down parts of the economy to reduce social interactions and the virus's spread.

30 May 2023

Interim results of the effectiveness of 2022-2023 influenza vaccine from six studies conducted in Europe

Researchers provided interim results on 2022-2023 influenza vaccine effectiveness (VE) estimates.

30 May 2023

Cardiovascular disease is primed to kill more older adults, especially Blacks and Hispanics

Cardiovascular disease — the No. 1 cause of death among people 65 and older — is poised to become more prevalent in the years ahead, disproportionately affecting Black and Hispanic communities and exacting an enormous toll on the health and quality of life of older Americans.

30 May 2023

Novel technology enhances potency and breadth of vaccine-induced responses through antigen presentation

Novel EABR technology enhances potency and breadth of vaccine-induced responses through antigen presentation.

30 May 2023

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Virus

Overview

Feature Articles

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

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

Unlocking the Secrets of Multiple Sclerosis Progression: Brain-Immune Cell Communication

Passing on Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: Health risks for male offspring of women with PCOS

Top-Down Proteomics: Bridging the Genotype-to-Phenotype Gap

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