nucleocapsid

American  

[noo-klee-uh-kap-sid, nyoo-] / ˌnu kli əˈkæp sɪd, ˌnyu- /

noun

Microbiology.

1. the nucleic acid core and surrounding capsid of a virus; the basic viral structure.

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Etymology

Origin of nucleocapsid

First recorded in 1960–65; nucleo- + capsid ¹

Example Sentences

The SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid antibody test will specifically look for prior infection.

From Washington Post • Jan. 26, 2023

The Texas team isn’t the first to go after the spike and nucleocapsid proteins at the same time.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 14, 2022

Typically rapid tests target a part of the virus called the nucleocapsid, a protein that envelopes the RNA of the virus, and doesn’t change much between variants.

From Slate • Jul. 14, 2022

Many of them look for nucleocapsid or “N” proteins, which are abundant in infected cells and form a protective capsule around the virus’s genetic material.

From Seattle Times • Feb. 2, 2022

One possibility would be to target the interior of a coronavirus, such as by attacking the nucleocapsid in the virus sphere.

From Salon • Oct. 18, 2021