Layman's Science

Would you be a glass half full, or glass half empty type of person? How do you look at thing in life? Can you find the positive in any situation? When you think about the pyramids in Egypt, can you admire the architectural feet without focusing on how it was created. If you can answer any of those questions with a yes, then consider your stance on viruses. Can you think of any positives you’ve ever come across with viruses? Probably not, but throughout this read I hope to give you at least one cool thing about viruses.

Nature is good at being artistic. From what we can see down to the smallest particle has a specific design to go with its function. This design can be just as beautiful as what’s considered modern art.  When you look at a snowflakes or fungus you can see natural beauty. Shells used by animals or crystals formed in caves all have some sort of specific design. Viruses too have this beauty and specific design to them that can only be compared to art. Some viruses naturally form icosahedral designs. Icosahedral design is a geometric shape that typically has 20 different faces and is structurally strong. Once into the cell, the virus becomes activated and forms a portal in the capsid. To carry out their normal function they need in inject their DNA into the new host cell with the help of this portal. The portal is used for infection and transmission but from an artistic view can be a thing of beauty.

One example of these portal forming viruses would be the Calicivirus. This virus can affect house cats and other animals and is easily transmitted from saliva. Once ingested, the virus enters the cell and becomes activated. This activation opens a portal in the capsid of the virus which is used to inject its RNA into the cytoplasm of the new host cell. This virus is not deadly in most cases but will cause symptoms of a cold in humans in cats.

However, this is not what anyone would consider “cool” but rather a normal function you would associate with viruses.  What makes this icosahedral virus standout are the artistic looking designs that are formed with the portal openings. When you look at them form you can admire the beauty that comes with most things in nature. What do you think? Can you look past what you already know about viruses and see the beauty?