Scientists at the Tokyo University of Science (Japan) have captured the viral infection process under an optical microscope for the first time. The “giant” virus, known as Mimivirus, has a much larger particle size than the others, which made registration possible.The microorganism infected a microbe called Acanthamoeba in a gelatinous agar substance created in the laboratory to stabilize the amoeba. The image shows how Acanthamoeba cells slowly move in the agarose gel as the infection progresses.
At a certain point, the microbe stops moving, creating what scientists call a “virion factory.” From there, more viral particles are produced and the infected cell dies when its membrane ruptures.
Details of the study, led by Professor Masaharu Takemura, were published this month in the Journal of Microbiology & Biology Education.
Details of the Virus Process (Image: Reproduction) Read more:
A man contracted a rare and deadly virus after being bitten by a monkey in Hong Kong. Antibodies may be able to fight the virus that infects 95% of the world's population. Brazil invests R$1 billion in the largest biosafety laboratory in South America What's next? The main objective of the study is to improve the explanation of microscopic processes, such as viral infections, to students in the classroom. The researchers aim to communicate the concepts of virology to the general public to increase awareness of the spread and prevention of viral diseases.
“In modern science education, seeing is believing – teachers are now trying to capture students’ attention with appealing images and videos, rather than just relying on textbook diagrams,” the university said in a statement, highlighting that the coronavirus pandemic Covid-19 has increased public interest in the subject.
More about the spread of the virus (Image: reproduction) The unreleased film was shown in a biology class at the Tokyo University of Science (Japan). According to the institution, the recording changed the students' view of viruses to a more scientific and biological perspective.
“The video increases students’ understanding of the mechanisms of viral transmission and highlights the biological importance of viruses, their effects on the fate of host cells and their role in ecosystems,” says Takemura.