PSEUDOVIRUS Meaning and
Definition
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A pseudovirus is a laboratory-created particle that mimics the structure and behavior of a real virus without its ability to cause active infection. It serves as a powerful tool in virology and immunology research to study the mechanisms of viral entry, replication, and host immune responses. This artificially engineered virus-like particle typically lacks the genetic material required for viral replication but presents the viral surface proteins responsible for cell attachment and entry, enabling it to interact with host cells.
Pseudoviruses are commonly produced by incorporating the envelope proteins of a target virus, such as the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2, onto a genetically stable and non-replicating viral or non-viral vector. This vector could be a harmless virus, like the lentivirus, adenovirus, or vesicular stomatitis virus, or it may consist of a non-viral protein platform. The resulting pseudovirus closely resembles the authentic virus in terms of its physical structure and surface proteins, allowing researchers to investigate crucial aspects of viral infection and host immune response without the risk of causing illness.
By utilizing pseudoviruses, scientists can efficiently examine the entry mechanisms of viruses into host cells, assess the neutralizing potency of antibodies or antiviral drugs, and investigate the efficacy of vaccine candidates. The non-replicating nature of pseudoviruses ensures the safety of handling and experimentation, as they cannot propagate or spread within the host organism. Overall, pseudoviruses play a significant role in advancing our understanding of viral diseases and in the development of therapeutic interventions and preventive strategies.
Common Misspellings for PSEUDOVIRUS
- oseudovirus
- lseudovirus
- -seudovirus
- 0seudovirus
- paeudovirus
- pzeudovirus
- pxeudovirus
- pdeudovirus
- peeudovirus
- pweudovirus
- pswudovirus
- pssudovirus
- psdudovirus
- psrudovirus
- ps4udovirus
- ps3udovirus
- pseydovirus
- psehdovirus
- psejdovirus
- pseidovirus
Etymology of PSEUDOVIRUS
The etymology of the word "pseudovirus" can be broken down as follows:
1. Pseudo-: This prefix comes from the Greek word "pseudēs" meaning false or deceptive. It is used to indicate something that resembles or imitates, but is not genuine.
2. Virus: This word has its roots in Latin, specifically in the Latin word "vīrus", which referred to poison or venom. It later evolved to specifically denote a contagious and harmful substance that causes infectious diseases, as we understand viruses today.
Therefore, "pseudovirus" literally means a false or deceptive imitation of a virus. It is often used in scientific contexts to describe substances or particles that mimic certain properties or characteristics of actual viral particles, but do not possess the complete infectious potential or genetic material typical of viruses.
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