images
from bocklabs visualization
of viruses
images
from bocklabs visualization
of viruses
Image
from Scientific American
PHAGE
film from cells alive, double click to start
Infecting a cell
The flu is an RNA Virus with a high mutation rate such that it evolves into new quasispecies which can infect someone who has previously had a different version of the virus. The figures below show the global tracking of influenza virus strains by WHO to determine the mix to use for vaccination
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weekly statistics from CDC
Nature Podcast Avian Flu
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The anti-herpes drug Acyclovir works by fooling the viral enzymes involved in duplicating the viral DNA. Acyclovir gets incorporated into the growing DNA chain in the place of a Guanosine. Since there is no 3' hydroxyl to which to add the next neucleotide, chain elongation comes to a halt. Lysine is also used to treat Herpes, it may work by blocking the similar amino acid arginine which is needed by the virus. |
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Tamiflu is an inhibitor of the viral enzyme, nuraminadase, which the virus uses to separate itself from the host cell. |
