Die Anwendung von Viren in Chemo- und Biosensoren

Biomineralization State of Viruses and Their Biological Potential

In nature, viruses can realize self-mineralization under metal-ion-abundant conditions. Interestingly, the mineralized state is a transition state of the virus when the host is not available. Mammalian viruses that share the similar chemical properties also stand a chance of transformation into a mineralized state. In this review, we focus on the possibility of mammalian viruses to undergo mineralization under a physiological environment and the development of biomineralized-based virus engineering. We will introduce the effect of biomineralization on the physiochemical or biological properties of viruses and we will discuss the relationship between mineral composition and biological potentials. The new biological prospects of mineralized-state viruses, including bypassing biological barriers, protection, and virus-host recognition, will provide new insight for the biosecurity and prevention of viral infection. With respect to vaccines, the mineralized state can modulate the immune recognition, change the immunization route, and elevate the vaccine efficacy. Together, these findings of the mineralized state of the virus may lead to a new understanding of virus biology, application, and prevention.

Single virus detection by means of atomic force microscopy in combination with advanced image analysis

In the present contribution virions of five different virus species, namely Varicella-zoster virus, Porcine teschovirus, Tobacco mosaic virus, Coliphage M13 and Enterobacteria phage PsP3, are investigated using atomic force microscopy (AFM). From the resulting height images quantitative features like maximal height, area and volume of the viruses could be extracted and compared to reference values. Subsequently, these features were accompanied by image moments, which quantify the morphology of the virions. Both types of features could be utilized for an automatic discrimination of the five virus species. The accuracy of this classification model was 96.8%. Thus, a virus detection on a single-particle level using AFM images is possible. Due to the application of advanced image analysis the morphology could be quantified and used for further analysis. Here, an automatic recognition by means of a classification model could be achieved in a reliable and objective manner.

Controlling nanostructures of mesoporous silica fibers by supramolecular assembly of genetically modifiable bacteriophages

A useful virus: The synthesis of a new family of mesoporous silica fibers is reported. Monodisperse filamentous bacteriophages self-assembled into highly ordered hexagonal lattices that were used as templates for the formation of silica nanostructures. Removal of the bacteriophage assembly through calcination led to the formation of mesoporous silica fibers with pore structures precisely defined by the bacteriophage assembly (see picture).