Collect 3-dimensional images of flu viruses

Researchers have succeeded in capturing images of flu viruses with unprecedented details. This breakthrough will help find out what makes some virus variants more toxic than others.

(Photo: HTV) Virus influenza belongs to influenza species and they Orthomyxoviridae. These are viruses with sheathed segmented genes made of single-stranded RNA. There are three main types of virus that cause influenza (A, B, C). Their differences involve two proteins that make up the coating. Three types of this virus are not capable of causing the same disease, for example C virus does not cause disease in humans.

The virus is decoded in type A and is derived from the seasonal H3N2 virus-causing strain. To obtain holograms with these unique details, researchers at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) at Bethesda used an electron-beam X-ray machine similar to the type. machine used in hospital.

Understanding the distribution of virus molecules will allow the virus to be traced. The researchers also hope to understand how antibodies neutralize these infectious agents and how the virus enters healthy cells.

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