ScienceAugust 15, 2026

nucleocapsid

NOO-klee-uh-kap-sid

Definition

The structural protein shell of a virus that encloses its genetic material, often used as a marker for viral detection.

Etymology

The word is a combination of 'nucleus,' referring to the genetic core, and 'capsid,' which comes from the Latin 'capsa' meaning a box or case. It describes the protective protein casing that surrounds the viral genetic material.

In the news

In this article, researchers used the SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid protein to demonstrate the high sensitivity of their new air-sampling device. Detecting this specific protein allows the device to identify the presence of the virus without needing complex laboratory infrastructure.

Butterfly-Inspired Technology Could Transform Air Quality Monitoring

Read the full article ↗

Bioengineer.org

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