nucleocapsid
noun
nu·cle·o·cap·sid ˌnü-klē-ō-ˈkap-səd 
ˌnyü-
: the nucleic acid and surrounding protein coat in a virus
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web Since antigen tests generally target a part of the virus called the nucleocapsid, which saw fewer mutations in Omicron, test manufacturers and health authorities abroad say antigen tests should still work to detect many cases caused by the variant. 
Alexander Tin, CBS News, 7 Jan. 2022 Soon-Shiong said that, if vaccines did not target the viral nucleocapsid, manufacturers would be playing an endless game of catch-up. The New Yorker, 25 Oct. 2021 In addition to forming the helical nucleocapsid, N is reported to be required for packaging the viral into infectious particles. William A. Haseltine, Forbes, 16 Sep. 2021 Two tests on the sample found the presence of the virus’s spike protein and nucleocapsid, or protein shell. Eric Sylvers, WSJ, 12 July 2021 Early in the pandemic, many commercial tests were designed to look for antibodies to a coronavirus protein called the nucleocapsid, or just N, because after infection, those antibodies were plentiful in the blood. New York Times, 20 June 2021 Greninger and his colleagues found that a common nucleocapsid-hunting antigen test called the Sofia, made by Quidel, might not recognize a very small fraction of coronavirus variants, incorrectly marking infected samples as virus-free. Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 7 June 2021 But a shot that includes nucleocapsid makes for a pretty good insurance policy. Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 21 May 2021 Sadtler pointed out that the new study looks at antibodies against the virus’s nucleocapsid, which wane faster than antibodies that target the virus’s spike protein. oregonlive, 17 Mar. 2021 See More
Alexander Tin, CBS News, 7 Jan. 2022 Soon-Shiong said that, if vaccines did not target the viral nucleocapsid, manufacturers would be playing an endless game of catch-up. The New Yorker, 25 Oct. 2021 In addition to forming the helical nucleocapsid, N is reported to be required for packaging the viral into infectious particles. William A. Haseltine, Forbes, 16 Sep. 2021 Two tests on the sample found the presence of the virus’s spike protein and nucleocapsid, or protein shell. Eric Sylvers, WSJ, 12 July 2021 Early in the pandemic, many commercial tests were designed to look for antibodies to a coronavirus protein called the nucleocapsid, or just N, because after infection, those antibodies were plentiful in the blood. New York Times, 20 June 2021 Greninger and his colleagues found that a common nucleocapsid-hunting antigen test called the Sofia, made by Quidel, might not recognize a very small fraction of coronavirus variants, incorrectly marking infected samples as virus-free. Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 7 June 2021 But a shot that includes nucleocapsid makes for a pretty good insurance policy. Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 21 May 2021 Sadtler pointed out that the new study looks at antibodies against the virus’s nucleocapsid, which wane faster than antibodies that target the virus’s spike protein. oregonlive, 17 Mar. 2021 See More Word History
First Known Use
1962, in the meaning defined above
Medical Definition
nucleocapsid
noun
nu·cleo·cap·sid ˌn(y)ü-klē-ō-ˈkap-səd
: the nucleic acid and surrounding protein coat of a virus