Welcome! I’m doing something a bit different here today and introducing myself. I know I don’t show my face around here often because honestly I’m just not that comfortable with it (yet?)! I also want to keep the focus on science art. But I recognize how important it is to know who you’re getting yourContinue reading “Welcome!”
Author Archives: annickae
T4 Bacteriophage
Meet the T4 bacteriophage, or “eat bacteria”! Bacteriophages are different than the previous in the series because these viruses only infect bacterial cells, not human cells. T4 bacteriophages are non-enveloped, form a head-tail structure, and carry a linear double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) genome about 169kb in length. These complex structures work together to bindContinue reading “T4 Bacteriophage”
Immune System X Vaccines
Which immune cells are important when considering immunity? *The slides today are an oversimplification of an intricate and nuanced system. Your body is built to defend against invaders. After the physical barrier of your skin/mucosal lining, your innate system is the first to kick in. This system is fast and ready to go before anythingContinue reading “Immune System X Vaccines”
Zika Virus
Meet Zika virus! Zika virus (flaviviridae family) is a small (50nm), spherical, enveloped virus carrying an RNA genome (10kb). While the particle is spherical (because it is enveloped), the placement of the E proteins throughout the membrane give it an icosahedral-like symmetry. The E proteins form dimers and are used to bind cellContinue reading “Zika Virus”
Cells X Vaccines
How exactly are cells used in vaccine development? The use of cells to develop vaccines can be broken down into two pieces. First, production. Second, testing. Biologics, things like antibodies and viruses, need to be grown in living organisms by definition. Non-biologics can be produced without cells. Cells are given the instructions forContinue reading “Cells X Vaccines”
Coronavirus
I’d say meet coronavirus but I think we’re all a bit too familiar at this point! Coronaviruses are spherical, enveloped particles that vary between 80 and 120nm in diameter and carry an RNA genome (26.4 to 31.7kb). The name “coronavirus” is derived from Latin – corona – meaning “crown”. The viral envelope isContinue reading “Coronavirus”
Ab Tests X Vaccines
Discussing antibody tests and when to expect a positive result! When infected naturally with SARS-CoV-2, your body is exposed to all the viral proteins and will generally make antibodies against the two most immunogenic proteins – the Spike (S) protein and the Nucleocapsid (N) protein. In this case, any serology (antibody) test designed toContinue reading “Ab Tests X Vaccines”
Ebola Virus
Meet Ebolavirus! This is arguably one of the most talked about viruses in part because it is one of the most deadly. Ebolavirus is part of the filoviridae family and is a curved filamentous particle usually about 970nm in length and 80nm in diameter. Ebolaviruses have a viral envelope (filled with the glycoproteins GP1/2),Continue reading “Ebola Virus”
J&J COVID-19 Vaccine
The FDA meets later this week to review the safety and efficacy of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 Vaccine. If approved for Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) it will be the 3rd distributed vaccine for SARS-CoV-2 in the U.S . I am so excited to share this collaborative post with Dr. Jesse O’Shea, MD (@jesseosheamd).Continue reading “J&J COVID-19 Vaccine”
Adenovirus
Meet Adenovirus (not to be confused with adeno-associated virus from last post)! I have also worked pretty closely with Adenovirus in my scientific career. Adenovirus (from the family parvoviridae) is 100nm in diameter, non-enveloped, and carries double-stranded DNA. The capsid is made of 720 protein subunits (known as hexons) arranged as an icosahedron. AtContinue reading “Adenovirus”