SARS-CoV-2 is an enveloped virus responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite recent advances in the structural elucidation of SARS-CoV-2 proteins, detailed architecture of the intact virus remains to be unveiled. Here we report the molecular assembly of the authentic SARS-CoV-2 virus using cryo-electron tomography (cryo-ET) and subtomogram averaging (STA). Native structures of the S proteins in both pre- and postfusion conformations were determined to average resolutions of 8.7-11 Å. Compositions of the N-linked glycans from the native spikes were analyzed by mass-spectrometry, which revealed highly similar overall processing states of the native glycans to that of the recombinant glycoprotein glycans. The native conformation of the ribonucleoproteins (RNP) and its higher-order assemblies were revealed. Overall, these characterizations have revealed the architecture of the SARS-CoV-2 virus in exceptional detail, and shed lights on how the virus packs its ∼30 kb long single-segmented RNA in the ∼80 nm diameter lumen.

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AbstractSevere acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is an enveloped virus responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite recent advances in the structural elucidation of SARS-CoV-2 proteins and the complexes of the spike (S) proteins with the cellular receptor ACE2 or neutralizing antibodies, detailed architecture of the intact virus remains to be unveiled. Here we report the molecular assembly of the authentic SARS-CoV-2 virus using cryo-electron tomography (cryo-ET) and subtomogram averaging (STA). Native structures of the S proteins in both pre- and postfusion conformations were determined to average resolutions of 9-11 Å. Compositions of the N-linked glycans from the native spikes were analyzed by mass spectrometry, which revealed highly similar overall processing states of the native glycans to that of the recombinant glycoprotein glycans. The in situ architecture of the ribonucleoproteins (RNP) and its higher-order assemblies were revealed. These characterizations have revealed the architecture of the SARS-CoV-2 virus to an unprecedented resolution, and shed lights on how the virus packs its ~30 Kb long single-segmented RNA in the ~80 nm diameter lumen. Overall, the results unveiled the molecular architecture and assembly of the SARS-CoV-2 in native context.

An imidazolium-based zwitterionic polymer is reported with dual functions of antivirus and antifouling with broad applicability.

Aqueous alkaline zinc batteries are of scientific and technological interest because of the potential they offer for cost-effective and safe storage of electrical energy. Poor electrochemical reversibility and shape change of the Zn anode, propensity of Zn to become passivated by surface oxides and hydroxide films upon prolonged exposure to the electrolyte, and electroreduction of water are well-studied but remain unsolved challenges. Here, we create and study electrochemical and transport properties of precise, spatially tunable zwitterionic polymer interphases grown directly on Zn using an initiated-chemical vapor deposition polymerization methodology. In aqueous alkaline media, spatial gradients in compositionfrom the polymer–electrolyte interface to the solid–polymer interfacepromote highly reversible redox reactions at high current density (20 mA cm–2) and high areal capacity (10 mAh cm–2). Via molecular dynamics and experimental analyses, we conclude that the interphases function by regulating the distribution and activity of interfacial water molecules, which simultaneously enables fast ion transport and suppression of surface passivation and the hydrogen evolution reaction. To illustrate the practical relevance of our findings, we study aqueous Zn||NiOOH and Zn||air batteries and observe that zwitterionic polymer interphases produce extended life at high currents and high areal capacity.

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Bessel-Gauss beams carrying orbital angular momentum are widely known for their non-diffractive or self-reconstructing performance, and have been applied in lots of domains. Here we demonstrate that, by illuminating a rotating object with high-order Bessel-Gauss beams, a frequency shift proportional to the rotating speed and the topological charge is observed. Moreover, the frequency shift is still present once an obstacle exists in the path, in spite of the decreasing of received signals. Our work indicates the feasibility of detecting rotating objects free of obstructions, and has potential as obstruction-immune rotation sensors in engine monitoring, aerological sounding, and so on.