Entry #18 - Fluorescently Labeled Influenza A Virus in dried 1-μL 0.1% Mucin Droplet at 50% Relative Humidity

In virus-laden respiratory particles, the position of virus relative to proteins and other components of the particles is important for understanding inactivation mechanisms of virus during airborne transmission. Thus, we visualized Influenza A virus labeled with red fluorescent dye in dried model respiratory droplets at 50% relative humidity, which contained 0.1% mucin, the most abundant proteins in our respiratory fluids. Most of the virus clustered around the coffee ring and dendritic patterns close to the ring, where mucin was also highly concentrated. This co-localization of Influenza A virus and mucin in droplets may help enhance the survivability of virus.