虹彩病毒感染宿主范围广，是石斑鱼等主要海水养殖鱼类的重要传染性病原，危害极大。我们已经在单病毒粒子水平揭示了石斑鱼虹彩病毒SGIV侵染宿主细胞的精细动态过程，但对病毒DNA释放机制仍不清楚。本项目拟通过交叉运用化学、分子生物学和生物物理等技术，在单分子水平系统开展SGIV释放其基因组DNA的精细机制研究。基于点击化学反应及单分子成像技术，从时间、空间尺度直观揭示病毒DNA释放进程、特征以及与不同细胞结构的相互作用，进一步筛选参与病毒DNA释放的关键蛋白，阐明病毒DNA释放的精细机制；追踪释放后的病毒DNA、衣壳，并分析病毒DNA和病毒加工厂与复制相关蛋白的相互作用，初步探讨其复制机理。本研究首次在单分子水平可视化研究虹彩病毒DNA释放机制，研究结果将从新的角度进一步阐明虹彩病毒的感染机理，同时为有针对性地发展鱼类病毒防控技术奠定基础。

Iridoviruses can infect a wide range of host and are one of the most important causative agents in culture groupers and other marine fishes. We have revealed the detailed mechanism of Singapore grouper iridovirus (SGIV) infecting host cells at single-virus particle resolution. However, little is currently known about the mechanics of viral DNA release. In this study, we will thoroughly investigate the genome DNA release of SGIV at single-molecular resolution using chemistry, molecular biology and biophysical technology. Based on click chemistry and single-molecular imaging technology, we will reveal the process and the characteristic of viral DNA release and then reveal its interaction with cellular structures, select candidate proteins that are crucial to DNA release, and illustrate the key mechanism of viral release. Furthermore, we will track the localization of released viral DNA and capsid and analyse the interaction between viral DNA and the key proteins associated with replication. It is the first time to visualize the process of iridoviruses DNA release. The results will provide new insights into iridovirus replication, and perhaps serve to identify additional targets for antiviral drugs.