Viruses

[student12]

I have tow questions, regarding viruses.

In my text book they say that viruses are specific. But how are they specific? And how do they infect an individual?

[victor]

Um, about the specific one, could you write the full sentencee of that?
I can think that virus is specific because of their anti-receptor which is only specific with its target cells.
There are certain types on how virus infect its target and the most common one is via endocytosis. this process can be done when the cell’s receptor is fit with virus’ anti-receptor. But you have to notice that when endocytosis, not the whole virion gets in…only certain parts which are getting inside the host cell.

[chemistry_freako]

It depends on what context they’re talking about.
As Victor said – specificity of the receptors and ligands,
before the virus gets ‘engulfed’.

[raju]

hi virus capsule is an protein .out of a body they r crystals .so cant move on there own or enter any thing
the viruses have specific proteins on there body by which they try to intreact wit othere cells which have complimentary structure of it
its more like an anti body antigen inter5action
due to this all the proteins have specificity of infection for example
HIV has on it a group of protein known as g 4 proteins which interact with only cd4 protein on the wall of T-lympocytes in humans hence they can infect only humans

[BioChemistrySoldier]

Hey im going to try something, I want someone to tell me if it is wrong or what i should looke out for. im going to creat a virus that instead of multiplying itself, but multiplys the cell it hangs on to.

This is usful because some people in the world dont have some cells or there genes are bad. (like sickle cell anemia)
so by multiplying the cell they need. COULD, it be possible to help them or by using it for another cause.

Im going to probably take samples of other viruses and parts from plants and animals first, to look at what im going to do to creat it and store it.

Im into biological viruses more the anything.

[herb386]

If you wanted to make a stable change to the cells you would need to use a virus that could integrate into the genome. This has already been done in some medical trials to replace faulty genes but I think some people ended up with leukemia so there’s still some work to be done in targeting the insertion.

There are already viruses that increase the rate of cell division in order to increase their reproductive rate but these viruses tend to be associated with cancers because they alter the cells cell division control mechanisms.

If you could come up with a way of turning the viral gene expression on and off reliably, inserting it in a specific gene free area, preventing virus replication and infecting only the correct cells it might work.

[herb386]

The other thing is that you would get an immune reaction to the virus which may just kill the cells it enters.

Also if the virus can’t replicate you would need to introduce quite a lot to ensure some will get into the cells. The problem then is that you can’t control which cells are infected.

[victor]

Some of those replicator viruses do exist naturally. They’re classified into retrovirus family, and classifided again into oncovirinae genus. And yes, this virus family oftenly related with cancer (the crabs 😆 )
If you wanna create a virus which is like you said,
first, you have to control the rate of the cell’s reproduction if the cell is introduced with the virus.
Then, you must calculate and control the rate of mutation due to the insertion of the viral genome.
After that, you have to modify the viral genetic substances in order to avoid the cell’s immune response (like interferon (IFN) releasing, expressio of cell’s surface antigens, etc.)
And the last but not least, you have to target the virus into some specific cell in ordr to reproduce that ‘specific’ daughter cells.

Well, happy experimenting…:mrgreen: 😆

[Mjhavok]

quote BioChemistrySoldier:

Hey im going to try something, I want someone to tell me if it is wrong or what i should looke out for. im going to creat a virus that instead of multiplying itself, but multiplys the cell it hangs on to.

This is usful because some people in the world dont have some cells or there genes are bad. (like sickle cell anemia)
so by multiplying the cell they need. COULD, it be possible to help them or by using it for another cause.

Im going to probably take samples of other viruses and parts from plants and animals first, to look at what im going to do to creat it and store it.

Im into biological viruses more the anything.

Is this the sci fi forum? How exactly are you going to do this?

[mkwaje]

quote Mjhavok:

quote BioChemistrySoldier:

Hey im going to try something, I want someone to tell me if it is wrong or what i should looke out for. im going to creat a virus that instead of multiplying itself, but multiplys the cell it hangs on to.

This is usful because some people in the world dont have some cells or there genes are bad. (like sickle cell anemia)
so by multiplying the cell they need. COULD, it be possible to help them or by using it for another cause.

Im going to probably take samples of other viruses and parts from plants and animals first, to look at what im going to do to creat it and store it.

Im into biological viruses more the anything.

Is this the sci fi forum? How exactly are you going to do this?

Mjhavok is right. This study might be useful, but it is both mentally and financially challenging. To illustrate, you have to select your virus of interest. You say getting it from plants and animals? I assume these viruses you are referring to codes for a harmful gene. Then you have to be able to monitor it, therefore, you have to have animal or plant cell lines so that you can infect it with the virus in order to see / replicate it. Remember, viruses do not multiply outside their host cells. Also, you should have an in-depth understanding of the various genes that control cellular replication. Messing around with those genes using a virus won’t transform those target cells into powerhouse replicating machines. There might be a slim chance for it to succeed, chances of having a safe and stable one is even slimmer.

just my two cents.

[Mjhavok]

Also this would take alot of research and alot of time.

[Sang]

First, would I ask some question too? I have a lesson says that there has a Virus with a big genom. I don’t remember exactly its name but I think there is "Mimivirus". May I have Information about it?

[victor]

I think the virus with the big genome is oftenly gotten in Poxviridae and Herpesviridae family. Genome also determine virus’ complexity.

[Sang]

Ah ha, I see! Thanks.

[loveangel]

how could people create viruses???? is the "i love you virus" the most popular virus in the world????

[victor]

if me, I like Influenza virus (family, Orthomyxoviridae) and HIV (family, Retroviridae; genus Lentivirinae)… 😆

[sunnygirl]

So the outer covering of a virus is a "capsid" but what is the capsid made of?

And, Mumps is a disease caused by a virus that infects the salivary glands, swelling of the glands usuall begins 18 days after contact with the virus. So which of the following is most likely true about the virus which causes mumps?

A) The virus is one which only goes through the lytic cycle

B) The virus is one which goes through both lysogenic cycle and the lytic cycle

C) The virus forms a provirus

D) The virus is a bacteriophage

[James]

The capsid is made from various proteins.

[canalon]

Look up the definitions of your four terms (lytic, lysogenic, provirus and bacteriophage) and the answer will be easy.

[Mjhavok]

this would be easy to find on google or wikipedia. I personally don’t mind beginners asking these types of questions because anyone wanting to learn is great in my book but wouldn’t it be easier to search for rather than waiting on an answer.

Steven

[kiekyon]

quote loveangel:

how could people create viruses????

the latest,
http://www.newscientist.com/article.ns?id=dn2539

the first,
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/2122619.stm

[sunnygirl]

See I did look up info, and maybe i just missed some of it so ill check it out again

[sunnygirl]

What are some of the things different betweem viruses and bacteria? i know about two but what are some others

[chicken_boy]

For one thing, they differ greatly in size. The biggest viruses are only as large as the tiniest bacteria.

A typical bacterium has a rigid cell wall and a thin, rubbery cell membrane surrounding the fluid, or cytoplasm inside the cell where as a virus may or may not have an outermost spiky layer called the envelope.

Bacteria contain the genetic blueprint (DNA) and all the tools (ribosomes, proteins, etc.) they need to reproduce themselves.

Viruses are moochers. They contain only a limited genetic blueprint and they don’t have the necessary building tools. They have to invade other cells and hijack their cellular machinery to reproduce. Viruses then invade by attaching to a cell and injecting their genes or by being swallowed up by the cell.

[sunnygirl]

Method of Reproduction, Alternation of Generations…… sexual, asexual, or both? Can you give an example?

[victor]

read this:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virus

and compare it with:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bacteria

have a good reading

[mkwaje]

quote sunnygirl:

Method of Reproduction, Alternation of Generations…… sexual, asexual, or both? Can you give an example?

Off topic already… I’m sure definitions and diffefrences of the three are in wikipedia and in the forum’s dictionary. Try answering your questions and we’ll help if its not on track.

happy researching.

[Author]

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