LinkNotes: A Virus Nanomotor

2009-01-14

A Virus Nanomotor

Clockwork That Drives Powerful Virus Nanomotor Discovered

ScienceDaily (Dec. 31, 2008) — Peering at structures only atoms across, researchers have identified the clockwork that drives a powerful virus nanomotor.

clipped from news.uns.purdue.edu

Biologists learn structure, mechanism of powerful 'molecular motor' in virus

clipped from news.uns.purdue.edu

The motor is needed to insert DNA into the capsid of the T4 virus, which is called a bacteriophage because it infects bacteria. The same kind of motor, however, also is likely present in other viruses, including the human herpes virus.

"Molecular motors in double-stranded DNA viruses have never been shown in such detail before," said Siyang Sun, a postdoctoral research associate working in Rossmann's lab.

clipped from bio.purdue.edu

Biological Sciences

MICHAEL ROSSMANN

clipped from www.nsf.gov

Press Release 08-220
Viruses, Start Your Engines!

Researchers find what drives one of nature's powerful, nanoscale motors

Because of the motor's strength--to scale, twice that of an automobile--the new findings could inspire engineers designing sophisticated nanomachines. In addition, because a number of virus types may possess a similar motor, including the virus that causes herpes, the results may also assist pharmaceutical companies developing methods to sabotage virus machinery.

clipped from www.youtube.com