The crystallography of viruses

Viruses often have structured shapes called crystals, which means their proteins and genetic material pack together in highly organized, repeating patterns. This crystalline arrangement helps scientists study viruses using techniques like X-ray crystallography, revealing detailed structures at the molecular level. Understanding these structures helps in designing vaccines and antiviral drugs. Essentially, virus crystallography uncovers the precise 3D architecture of viral components, providing insight into how viruses infect cells and how to block their activity effectively.