Abstract
Visualization of algal viruses has been paramount to their study and understanding. The direct observation of the morphological dynamics of infection is a highly desired capability and the focus of instrument development across a variety of microscopy technologies. However, the high temporal (ms) and spatial resolution (nm) required, combined with the need to operate in physiologically relevant conditions presents a significant challenge. Here we present a short history of virus structure study and its relation to algal viruses and highlight current work, concentrating on electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy, towards the direct observation of individual algae–virus interactions. Finally, we make predictions towards future algal virus study direction with particular focus on the exciting opportunities offered by modern high-speed atomic force microscopy methods and instrumentation.
Highlights
Considering the sheer diversity and abundance of algal viruses [1,2], and their influence in global geochemical cycles, potential food and value product stocks, and even climate change [3,4]; the quantity of research into their physical and structural characteristics, and its implications for their infection strategies is surprisingly low
Having been invented in 1935 [13]. This description can be split into transmission electron microscopy (TEM, developed first) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM)
The work on Paramecium bursaria chlorella virus-1 (PBCV-1) from the 19800 s onwards was at the forefront of intensive characterization through a variety of techniques as they became readily available for applied use
Summary
Considering the sheer diversity and abundance of algal viruses [1,2], and their influence in global geochemical cycles, potential food and value product stocks, and even climate change [3,4]; the quantity of research into their physical and structural characteristics, and its implications for their infection strategies is surprisingly low. Work published in the same year used electron microscopy (EM) with shadowing, and the ordered subunit packing hypothesis to suggest icosahedral structure for ‘spherical’ viruses [7] These three examples neatly display the underlying methods of viral structure investigation: Orthogonal approaches to instrumentation and methodology, and theoretical models. We will briefly skip past these and the initial discovery of virus like particles (VLPs) associated with eukaryotic algal species [11] to the crucial juncture in algal virology with the introduction of culturable eukaryotic viruses [12] This development, driven by the chlorella-chlorovirus system, meant obtaining the quantity of virus required for further study was no longer an impediment in these new model systems. This ability to culture, subsequently paved the way for more detailed research into both algal viral structure and function
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