Coronavirus type 2 is a type of virus that causes severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS-CoV2). This virus was at the root of the global health emergency that culminated in a pandemic, the COVID-19 pandemic. This virus was first isolated in China, in the Wuhan region, and is zoonotic, meaning that it spreads from animals to humans.
Antigen tests that detect certain proteins in the virus are used to diagnose COVID-19. These tests usually give results within minutes. However, in order to study its structure as such, it was necessary to use the microscope. The electron microscope is a very useful equipment in biology and biomedicine laboratories.
Electron microscopy in the study of viruses
Since its invention, the electron microscope and electron microscopy have been widely used in the study and characterization of viruses. For example, in 1948, we were able to distinguish between the varicella and smallpox viruses. The same applies to poliovirus, thanks to electron microscopy, in 1952 we were able to observe particles of different antigenicity. Similarly, the Ebola virus has been identified and described using electron microscopy. Between 60 and 90, advances in microscopy led to the discovery of many types of viruses, including norovirus.
Over the past 25 years, many advances have solved innumerable problems associated with medical virology, such as the discovery and identification of viruses such as Hendra in 1995 or Nipah in 1999, both members of the Paramyxoviridae family, as well as knowledge of other viruses such as picornavirus or calicivirus.
Electron microscope for determining Sars Cov 2
The electron microscope is the cornerstone of finding and identifying new viruses. Electron microscopy can provide a wealth of information useful for studying pathogens, such as a description of their structure, even without knowing the agent beforehand, as was the case for the COVID-19 virus. In addition to being used in the field of research for the description of viruses, it is also useful in routine diagnostics, to confirm or guide in the diagnosis of viral diseases. With new technologies, electron microscopy is close to atomic resolution, 2D and 3D imaging (with the help of bioinformatics) can be obtained, all of which has allowed knowledge of the structure of viruses to increase.
The COVID-19 virus is not devoid of the benefits of the electron microscope, which has made it possible to obtain images and then characterize it. Although Dr. June Almeida first described this type of coronavirus in 1965, it was not until 1967 that images of the microscope were made available for the first time. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the electron microscope was a key part of her description. Transmission electron microscopy has made it possible to understand the internal structure of the virus and to describe the characteristic crown that gives it its name. It also provided the first images of the isolated virus. This is why the electron microscope is such a vital piece of equipment in biomedical laboratories, where it has been possible over the years to discover and describe new types of viruses that have affected humanity.
Kalstein Microscopes
At Kalstein, we are MANUFACTURERS of microscopes, as well as various equipment useful in any laboratory, both for those dedicated to science and medicine. Our equipment is characterized by being of high quality and technology, at the most economical PRICES on the market. In our catalog of microscopes you will find binocular, trinocular, inverted, biological, metallurgical, inverted, polarizing and stereoscopic models. Our inverted biological microscope is characterized by:
- An optical microscope or organic microscope is an instrument that has a lens and an eyepiece to improve the image of an object so that it can see details.
- The laboratory microscope is used for routine use. It allows the infinitely small to be displayed with high precision and impeccable image quality.
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