A virus isn't that easy to get rid of

The tobacco mosaic virus isn't just a relic of the past in Stuttgart, but is still used today in very promising research at the Biological Institute (Dept. of Molecular Biology and Plant Virology). In cooperation with the Max Planck Institute for Solid State Research, plant virologists are currently investigating whether the nanostructure of the tobacco mosaic virus can be used in applications in nanotechnology.

The aim of their research is to be able to perform controlled metallisation of the virus tubes both on the outer surface and in the central channel, or even at both places at once. This has already worked with the wild strains of the tobacco mosaic virus that can reproduce in many plants. In order to produce different metal products, the charge properties of the virus protein envelope and the length of the particle are deliberately altered using molecular biological methods. The length can also be varied using an in vitro assembly, i.e. by the controlled assembly of the virus components (protein, nucleic acid) in a test tube.
With the help of biological nanostructures like these it may be possible to create the foundations for new electronic conductor structures.

More information at https://www.uni-stuttgart.de/bio/bioinst/molbio