Unsolved Mysteries: Viruses

When we think of the term "virus," a lot of things come to our mind. For those in technology, it reminds them about computer viruses. But, for many other people, we tend to think of diseases like HIV (human immunodeficiency virus), Influenza A (H1N1) virus, and Ebola virus, which is pictured in this article above and mentioned in the bestseller called The Hot Zone by Richard Preston in 1994. Despite the vast number of studies that have been done on viruses and their occurrences in the diseases (which are far longer than anyone can imagine!), there is so much that we do not know about them.

Dear Virus, Who Are You?

When scientists first came across viruses, they mistakenly confused viruses with bacteria, which are living organisms. But, upon further studies, they discovered that viruses were something much more different in the sense that they can remain just as a particle called virion and stay inactive outside the host cells, or the cells that the viruses invade. Many of them have either DNA or RNA depending on the genetic material they contain.

Yet, there are so many variations and inconsistencies that have questioned us about viruses. For instance, in contrast to some simple viruses, herpes virus is an example of complicated viruses, and this virus turns out to have 90 genes!¹ Another difference is in the structure of viruses. T bacteriophage, or bacterial virus, has a structure similar to "a landing module for the moon" due to its nucleic acid surrounded by the protein coat.² In contrast, adenovirus, a virus responsible for respiratory problems for mammalian species, has an icosahedral shape, meaning that it "contains the usual twelve pentons plus two hundred and forty hexons."³

So, we still really don't know what viruses are, besides that they can somehow start deleterious impacts on the host cells upon successful invasions in ways that are beyond our imaginations.

Teach Me the Language of Viruses

Before we go on, take time to see some images of the viruses. Why? You should because 1) one of these viruses may develop a new strain and come attack at you (let's hope not but you never know), 2) structures and complexity of viruses should awe you and leave remarkable impressions, and 3) they come in various different colors. I think that it's foolish to discuss viruses without really appreciating their unpredictable structures and images that just make them unearthly things.

I recommend The Big Picture Book of Viruses as a starting point for people wanting to see more images of the viruses. Now, if you are really ambitious, I suggest you to take a full course on virology, if you are still in school or have money to take the course (maybe, it will come handy if you are already in medical field), or just look at available lectures for free. Here is a good webpage that, at this point working properly in internet, provides free lecture notes and syllabi for virology.

You, Me, and Viruses

For those who are extremely interested in viruses and want to spend their life dedicated to them (and do not fear the large perils surrounding viruses), consider going to schools and researching in the field to hopefully, one day, land an opportunity to work at Biosafety Level 4 (BSL-4). This is essentially the ultimatum to battle and research the toughest of the viruses, which can certainly kill you like a snap of a twig. For more information regarding this area, read detailed information from Centers of Disease Control. You can also find similar opportunities at BSL-4 at National Institute of Health (NIH), United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases (USAMRIID), and several others listed in this Wikipedia page.

¹ Dr. Margaret Hunt, "Virology - Introduction," University of South Carolina School of Medicine, May 5, 2009. http://pathmicro.med.sc.edu/mhunt/intro-vir.htm Accessed May 22, 2010.

² Gerald Karp, Cell and Molecular Biology: Concepts and Experiments, 4^th Edition (New Jersey: John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 2005) 22.

³Ibid., Karp.; Ibid., Hunt.