Retrovirus Memes

Posts tagged with Retrovirus

When HIV Breaks All The Molecular Rules

When HIV Breaks All The Molecular Rules
The central dogma of molecular biology says DNA → RNA → protein. But HIV said "rules are for losers" and brought reverse transcriptase to the party. While normal cells are horrified by this molecular rebellion, HIV is just vibing with its enzyme that converts RNA back to DNA. It's basically the molecular biology equivalent of driving the wrong way down a one-way street while making direct eye contact with the traffic cop.

What If We Kissed In The Retrovirus Nucleocapsid

What If We Kissed In The Retrovirus Nucleocapsid
Molecular biology pickup lines just hit different! This is basically viral replication flirting - retroviruses package their RNA genome inside a nucleocapsid (protein shell) before infecting cells. The "kissing-loop complex" shown is a real RNA structure where complementary sequences form base pairs, creating loops that look like they're kissing. So they're essentially saying "what if we reproduced like viruses do?" Complete with the classic "haha jk...unless?" energy that perfectly captures awkward science courtship. The molecular equivalent of "you complete my strand."

The Not So Central Dogma Of Molecular Biology

The Not So Central Dogma Of Molecular Biology
The central dogma of molecular biology (DNA → RNA → protein) is like that friend who thinks they know all the rules until retroviruses show up at the party. Retroviruses, with their RNA genomes that convert back to DNA, just sit there smugly like that white cat, completely unbothered by your textbook definitions. They're basically the molecular biology equivalent of saying "actually..." at a department meeting. Twenty years in the lab and I still chuckle when students confidently recite the central dogma without mentioning these rebellious exceptions.