Bloomington Leader

A team of researchers led by Professor Marc Morais at Indiana University Bloomington has revealed new findings on how the phi29 virus constructs its outer shell, as reported in the journal Science Advances. The study, a collaboration with colleagues from the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston and the University of Minnesota, focuses on the assembly of the virus's capsid, which is vital for its ability to infect bacterial cells.

The research offers potential advances in treating infections, particularly antibiotic-resistant bacteria like Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. Phi29, a type of bacteriophage, targets bacteria, prompting researchers to consider it as a treatment option for such infections. Professor Morais explained, "In the case of phi29, the capsid is essential for the virus to carry its DNA to bacteria, where it can take over and replicate. Without a proper shell, the virus can’t survive."

Professor Kai Choi, another leading figure in the study, elaborates on the importance of the capsid and its intricate assembly process. The research utilized cryo-Transmission Electron Microscopy (cryoTEM) to study how the capsid forms, observing that the process involves sequential steps rather than a simultaneous formation. Morais noted, “We were able to see how the virus puts everything together, step by step. This is important because it helps us understand how viruses work, and how we can stop them from becoming infectious."

Beyond applications in medicine, the study's findings have implications in nanotechnology, offering insights into molecular self-assembly at the nanoscale. The precision with which virus capsids self-assemble could inspire new nanostructures designed for medical therapies and advanced material science. This could forge paths in biomedical engineering, enabling the development of molecule-sized containers that could target specific cells, thus potentially transforming drug delivery systems.

Such discoveries shed light on possible strategies for combatting human diseases by understanding commonalities in viral shell formation processes. This knowledge can be utilized in designing drugs that inhibit shell formation in viruses, thereby preventing their spread and infection. Enhancements in nanotechnology could also result, leading to smarter materials and efficient ways to fabricate molecular-level devices.