הרצאת המכון ללימודים מתקדמים: כשהדנ״א משנה מצב – הסוד שמאחורי הדבקה ויראלית

Can a virus control its infection process through a hidden physical switch?

The Institute of Advanced Studies is delighted to host Professor Alex Evilevitch from the Faculty of Medicine, Lund University, Sweden, as part of the Lowy Distinguished Guest Professors series for 2024–2025.

In his lecture titled: “Phase Transitions of Packaged DNA in Phage Capsids: A Thermally Triggered Switch for Viral Infection”, Professor Evilevitch will unveil groundbreaking insights into the physical behavior of viral DNA inside bacteriophage. Using advanced small-angle neutron scattering (SANS), his team discovered a dual-phase structure within the viral genome—an ordered shell and a disordered core—that shifts as the temperature nears physiological levels (~37 °C). This density shift acts as a molecular “on switch” that activates genome ejection into host cells, offering a biophysical explanation for viral infectivity that has eluded scientists for years. The findings provide a powerful new lens on how viruses harness physical transitions in confined nucleic acids to orchestrate infection.

When and Where?
Sunday, 29 June 2025, at 14:00
Room 06, Britannia Building

The event is open to the public and will be conducted in English.

Light refreshments will be served before the lecture.

The Institute of Advanced Studies
https://ias.tau.ac.il