Image (IMAGE) University of Tsukuba Caption Researchers from the University of Tsukuba used a liquid crystal structure assembled from linear viruses as a template for synthesizing conducting polymer. Polypyrrole was grown from a helical structure of linear fb phage viruses using a chemical-electrochemical double-step method. The resulting polymer had a network structure similar to that of neural axons, and antiferromagnetic properties. It is hoped that the virus-polymer conjugates will be used for virus detection as well as in bacteria-targeting systems. Credit University of Tsukuba Usage Restrictions Unauthorized use is prohibited License Original content Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.