Physical Measurements of Viruses

Physical Measurements of Viruses

To the tune of “Happy & Sad” by Kacey Musgraves

[Verse 1]
Indirect ELISAs are used to detect a past infection
Antibodies from the sample will bind with antigen on the cassette
Another antibody
Will bind with the primary antibody
Which will cause a visual signal

[Chorus]
Physical measurements will provide
Outcomes that are binary
These types measurements do not quantify
Amount of virus
Present in any given sample
All they can say is yes or no
There are virus particles

[Verse 2]
Sandwich ELISAs are used to detect active infection
Sample antigens will bind with the capture antibody
This antigen is bound
By a primary antibody
To which another antibody will bind

[Chorus]
Physical measurements they will provide
Outcomes that are binary
These types measurements do not quantify
Amount of virus
Present in any given sample
All they can say is yes or no
There are virus particles

[Bridge]
Another assay is hemagglutination
A lattice like structure that forms
When the virus binds with red blood cells
Causing them to clump together
Together

[Chorus]
Outcomes that are binary
These types measurements do not quantify
Amount of virus
Present in any given sample
All they can say is yes, is yes or no
There are virus particles
There are virus particles