Scientists from NPL, working in collaboration with AI experts from IBM and the Science and Technology facilities Council (STFC) Hartree Center, are applying the principles of precision engineering of biological systems to enable the design of artificial virus-like particles capable of encapsulating genes.
The article from Phys.org discusses a groundbreaking advancement in genetic sequencing technology, where researchers have developed a method to sequence the entire genomes of individual virus particles with unprecedented precision. This technique, known as single-virus genomic sequencing (SVGS), allows scientists to analyze the genetic material of viruses at a single-particle level, providing insights into viral diversity, evolution, and transmission dynamics. The method involves isolating single virus particles, amplifying their genetic material, and then sequencing it. This approach has significant implications for understanding how viruses mutate, how they spread, and how they might be better controlled or treated. The technology could revolutionize virology by offering detailed genetic maps of viruses, which is crucial for developing targeted antiviral therapies and vaccines, and for tracking outbreaks with greater accuracy.