Mikroviruses

Mikroviruses are a specific class of bacteriophages, which are viruses that infect bacteria. These particular phages are characterized by their small size and their distinct morphology, often displaying an icosahedral capsid. They belong to the family Microviridae. The genetic material within a mikrovirus is typically single-stranded DNA. A well-known example of a mikrovirus is bacteriophage MS2, which infects *Escherichia coli*. These phages have been instrumental in the study of viral replication and gene expression due to their relatively simple structure and well-characterized life cycles. Researchers utilize mikroviruses as model systems to understand fundamental biological processes, including protein synthesis and the mechanisms of genetic material packaging. Their small genome size and the limited number of genes they encode make them particularly amenable to detailed molecular analysis. Studies involving mikroviruses have contributed significantly to our understanding of how viruses function at the molecular level, and their applications extend to areas such as molecular biology research and the development of phage therapy strategies.