Posts Tagged ‘viral structure’
Overview of Virus (part 4)
8. The main goal of biologists has been the molecular study of viruses and their interaction with the host cell. The study of bacteriophage replication in bacteria discovered the existence of messenger RNA, carrying the genetic code of DNA needed for protein synthesis. Studies with these viruses have also been instrumental in defining the biochemical factors that start and end the use of genetic information. Knowledge of the mechanisms of control of viral replication is critical to understanding the biochemical events in higher organisms.
The viruses are useful as model systems for studying the mechanisms that control genetic information, because in essence are small pieces of information. This allows scientists to study replication systems simpler and more manageable, but that function on the same principles as those of the host cell. Much of the research on the virus replicative pretends to know the mechanism to find and how to control growth and eliminate viral diseases. Studies on viral diseases have greatly contributed to understanding the body’s immune response against infectious agents. Studying this response have been thoroughly described serum antibodies and the secretions of mucous membranes, which help the body eliminate foreign elements such as viruses. Now, the scientific interest is focused on research designed to isolate certain viral genes. They could clone to produce large quantities of certain proteins, which would be used as vaccines. Read the rest of this entry »