The Invisible Enemy: Social Constructionist Pathways of COVID-19 Virus

International audienceExtraordinary societal events, such as global sanitary pandemics that human beings are facing since the beginning of humankind represent major collective upheaval for laymen. The COVID-19 pandemic that is responsible for the Coronavirus disease has been assessed by various large-scale epidemiological indices. Further, hard sciences researchers are settling rigorous scientific protocols that allow for imaging the biological representation of SARS-CoV-2 virion of 120 nm in diameter and the related infectious processes. Although, the specificity of laymen’s perceived representation of the worldwide killing virus SARS-CoV-2 remains unexplored. Therefore, the aim of the current research is to investigate the specificity of laymen’s social representations of SARS-CoV-2 in France. Indeed, from the social constructionist perspective, the perception of an object is underpinned by complex cognitive, emotional, social and cultural processes. Thereby, the socially constructed representations remain the primary driver of laymen’ exacerbated emotional reactions and irrational behaviours during the COVID-19 sanitary crisis. The methodology of the present research aimed to seize laymen’s social representations of the invisible virus SARS-CoV-2. The participants (N = 784) whose age ranged from 18 to 30 years, were asked to complete independently anonymous and confidential online questionnaire during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown in France. The questionnaire contained a free association task without any constraints of production that aimed to seize participants’ representations and feelings that come spontaneously to their mind while thinking about virus COVID-19. The automatized qualitative data analyses were conducted with software IRaMuTeQ, and refined with complementary semiotic analyses. The primary results of multivariate technique of factorial correspondence analyses demonstrated that laymen’s representations of the invisible virus refer mainly to the impact of COVID-19 sanitary containment, namely social isolation and the related feelings of stress and anxiety (47.89%), containment, χ² (131, N = 106) = 73.48, p < .001; worldwide spreading and dangerous virus that elicits the feeling of fear (27.49%), virus, χ² (84, N = 57) = 80.02, p < .001; and laymen’s personal involvement and respect of sanitary policies (24.62%), involvement, χ² (36, N = 31) = 78.08, p < .001. These results demonstrated that laymen perceive the invisible and dangerous virus SARS-CoV-2 primarily as a cause of social isolation related to the COVID-19 sanitary lockdown in France that generates aversive emotional states. Thus, a thorough comprehension of laymen’s social representations of the virus SARS-CoV-2 might contribute to alleviate laymen’s distress elicited by the invisible enemy and contribute to improve crisis management effectiveness

An instrumental and computational pipeline for visualizing free viral particles

International audienceWe are presenting the application of an optical and computational pipeline FAMOUS for revealing the presence of free viral particles named "virions". The idea of such a protocol is to give rise to images of virions in their environment with a soft solution for recording the native image, contrary to the standard solution of imaging virions with electron microscopy (EM) for visualizing viral particles. The final aim of the current work is to observe free viral particles of SARS-CoV-2, the virions responsible for the worldwide pandemic of Covid-19. But such particles have diameters between 80 and 120 nm, a dimension smaller than the resolution limit of optical-only microscopy solutions. We have chosen to start with the biggest free virions, cytomegalovirus (CMV), a virus from the herpesvirus family also named "Human Herpes Virus 5". Two kinds of cultures were involved: a fluorescent culture (BAD) and a label-free one (VHLE), both being collected from infected cell culture. VHLE virions were first observed after secondary immunostaining and concentrated with magnetic nanoparticles and then without labelling. The optical protocol rests on a standard solution of multiphoton microscopy combined with a computational strategy based on the point-spread-function (PSF) recordings, its mathematical modeling and the restauration of the image resting on the PSF model. A test with free viral particles of SARS-CoV-2 is led, delivering an optical visualization of the free-viral particles. The visualization of objects aggregates obtained in both situations confirm the relevance of the pipeline FAMOUS for imaging free virions

Pandémie de COVID-19 : Les défis méthodologiques de la recherche sociétale actuelle

International audienceThe complexity of the COVID-19 pandemic reveals important methodological debates and challenges with regard to the articulation of different research disciplines. The current COVID-19 societal research highlights the need for a holistic study of the COVID-19 pandemic issues based on a multidisciplinary research approach. The multidisciplinary approach appears to be essential to seize the invisible enemy of SARS-CoV-2 virus and related “domino effect” of consequences. In this article, we propose concrete avenues of reflection, drawn on innovative approaches of collective intelligence and co-design. Indeed, these approaches allow to initiate a logic of cross-fertilization of different disciplines by positioning the object of the study at the center of concerns of each of these disciplines. It is from this cross-fertilization that the CoviZion project will be able to evolve from a multidisciplinary device to an interdisciplinary or even transdisciplinary device allowing a 360-degree reading of the complex and unprecedented societal situation that is the COVID-19 crisis. This transdisciplinary approach is essential and has important implications, such as providing tools for better efficiency in the sanitary crisis management, particularly through public health policies.La complexité de la pandémie de COVID-19 révèle d’importants débats méthodologiques et des défis quant à l’articulation de différentes approches de recherche. La recherche sociétale actuelle concernant la COVID-19 met en évidence la nécessité d'une étude holistique de la situation de la pandémie de COVID-19, fondée sur une approche de recherche multidisciplinaire. L'approche multidisciplinaire apparaît indispensable pour saisir l'ennemi invisible qu’est le virus SARS-COV-2 et ses conséquences sociétales à « l’effet domino ». Dans cet article, nous proposons des pistes de réflexion concrètes qui s’appuient sur les approches méthodologiques de l’intelligence collective et de co-design. En effet, celles-ci permettent d’engager une logique de fertilisation croisée des disciplines en positionnant l’objet d’étude au centre des préoccupations de chacune des disciplines convoquées. C’est à partir de cette fertilisation croisée que le projet CoviZion pourra évoluer en passant d’un dispositif multidisciplinaire à un dispositif interdisciplinaire voire transdisciplinaire permettant une lecture à 360 degrés de la situation sociétale complexe et inédite qu’est la crise COVID-19. Cette approche transdisciplinaire est essentielle et connaît des implications importantes, notamment celle de fournir des outils permettant une meilleure efficacité dans la gestion des crises sanitaires par les politiques de santé publiques particulièrement

Multiphoton microscopy for bacterial imaging: a label-free solution resting on endogenous two-photon fluorescence

International audienceWe demonstrate the interest of multiphoton microscopy (MPM) for imaging bacteria without any labelling process. Six families of bacteria are tested: Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Proteus vulgaris, Pseudomonas fluorescens, Bacillus subtilis and Clostridium perfringens. For each of these bacteria, the image of a cell is recorded through a multiphoton microscope thus revealing the 3D shape of these bacteria. For the first time, the images of such bacteria are recorded without any labelling solution. A protocol of controlling the image produced is led thanks to a standard staining protocol with carboxy fluorescein diacetate (CFDA) for E. Coli and Staphylococcus epidermidis. Similar object shapes with or without labelling are produced, thus validating the label-free images generated by MPM. Then, the two-photon excitation spectra are measured for each of these bacteriaand the emission spectra delivered by E. Coli and Bacillus subtilis are shown. The origin of the two-photon fluorescence (TPF) emission of the bacteria thanks to the nonlinear imaging solution is discussed regarding to the TPF excitation and emission spectra of metabolic indicators

A computational two-photon fluorescence approach for revealing label-free the 3D image of viruses and bacteria

International audienceCurrent solutions for bacteria and viruses identification are based on time-consuming technics with complex preparation procedures. In the present work, we revealed label-free the presence of free viral particles and bacteria with a computational two-photon fluorescence (C-TPF) strategy. Six bacteria were tested: Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Proteus vulgaris, Pseudomonas fluorescens, Bacillus subtilis and Clostridium perfringens. The two families of viral particles were the herpes virus with the cytomegalovirus (CMV, 300 nm of diameter) and the coronavirus with the SARS-CoV-2 (100 nm of diameter). The instrumental and computational pipeline FAMOUS optimized the produced 3D images. The origin of the fluorescence emission was discussed for bacteria regarding to their two-photon excitation spectra and attributed to the metabolic indicators (FAD and NADH). The optical and computational strategy constitute a new approach for imaging label-free viral particles and bacteria and paves the way to a new understanding of viral or bacterial ways of infection

A computational two-photon fluorescence approach for revealing label-free the 3D image of viruses and bacteria

International audienceCurrent solutions for bacteria and viruses identification are based on time-consuming technics with complex preparation procedures. In the present work, we revealed label-free the presence of free viral particles and bacteria with a computational two-photon fluorescence (C-TPF) strategy. Six bacteria were tested: Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Proteus vulgaris, Pseudomonas fluorescens, Bacillus subtilis and Clostridium perfringens. The two families of viral particles were the herpes virus with the cytomegalovirus (CMV, 300 nm of diameter) and the coronavirus with the SARS-CoV-2 (100 nm of diameter). The instrumental and computational pipeline FAMOUS optimized the produced 3D images. The origin of the fluorescence emission was discussed for bacteria regarding to their two-photon excitation spectra and attributed to the metabolic indicators (FAD and NADH). The optical and computational strategy constitute a new approach for imaging label-free viral particles and bacteria and paves the way to a new understanding of viral or bacterial ways of infection

Observation of SARS-CoV-2 viral particles using electron microscopyguided multiphoton microscopy

International audienceWe tested the ability of multiphoton microscopy (MPM) devices to produce label-free images of the virus Sars-Cov-2 responsible for the Covid global health crisis of the years 2020-2022. The virion cultures were grown in our high-security virology laboratory and then optically inactivated so as to preserve the integrity of the virus without its contagious nature. We used magnetic beads for concentrating the particles and increasing the viral quantity. We have determined a spectral range of excitation and emission, combined with adapted energy levels for the non-destructive excitation and efficient collection. We obtained a discriminating signature of these viral particles thanks to the nonlinear optical process involved in MPM and produced an image of virion bundles concentrated around magnetic particles. We have confirmed the origin of the MPM images from the SARS-Cov-2 viral particles thanks to electron microscopy images. This super-resolution imaging solution has allowed to reveal the shape of viral particles of SARS-Cov-2 in their entirety, combined in clusters around magnetic particles, the core of which is clearly identified by its diameter of 200 nm. We attributed the origin of the optical signature from the virions to the presence of a large quantity of genetic material in the free viral particle. This substance, the DNA or RNA, is made up of an assembly of nucleic acids with a known nonlinear optical property. We are confident that the assembly of these formally non-linear elements enabled the creation of the multiphoton microscopy sign

Storytelling of the COVID-19 Virus: A Tale of Many Tails: Opening Conference

International audienceThe 21st century extreme situations, such as the global COVID-19 breakdown elicited by the invisible SARS-CoV-2 virus, represent major collective upheavals for people and societies. Indeed, to date, the global COVID-19 Coronavirus pandemic has caused more than 336 790 193 confirmed cases and 5 560 718 deaths (World Health Organization: Coronavirus COVID-19 Dashboard, January 20, 2022). Thus, the complexity of the COVID-19 pandemic requires a pluri-disciplinary research approach in order to investigate these extraordinary circumstances. The pluri-disciplinary research program CoviZion conducted currently in France is based on innovative collaboration between hard and soft sciences that allows to construct a holistic overview of the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on the population. Specifically, the SARS-CoV-2 virus of 120 nm in diameter, at the origin of the COVID-19 Coronavirus disease, is investigated by innovative methods from the field of virology, physics, computational sciences and multiphoton microscopy that allow imaging the biological representation of the virus. Further, the socially constructed representations of SARS-CoV-2 virus were investigated by mixed methods research design. The main latest results of CoviZion demonstrated that laypeople, aged from 18 to 84 years, perceive SARS-CoV-2 as a dangerous and worldwide killing virus that elicits negative emotions (fear, anxiety, sadness) and aversive reactions (uncertainty, stress, loneliness, tiredness, depression). Moreover, discourse analyses of older participants’ storytelling demonstrated that the unknown and invisible virus remains a source of various fears, fascinations and fantasies. In particular, the “war metaphor” and martial rhetoric that emerged in older participants’ storytelling resonate in line with the COVID-19 mass media and political storytelling in France. These findings contribute not only to an improved knowledge of the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on the population, but also to an improved crisis management effectiveness of current and future pandemic breakdowns

Pandémie de COVID-19 : Les défis méthodologiques de la recherche sociétale actuelle

International audienceThe complexity of the COVID-19 pandemic reveals important methodological debates and challenges with regard to the articulation of different research disciplines. The current COVID-19 societal research highlights the need for a holistic study of the COVID-19 pandemic issues based on a multidisciplinary research approach. The multidisciplinary approach appears to be essential to seize the invisible enemy of SARS-CoV-2 virus and related “domino effect” of consequences. In this article, we propose concrete avenues of reflection, drawn on innovative approaches of collective intelligence and co-design. Indeed, these approaches allow to initiate a logic of cross-fertilization of different disciplines by positioning the object of the study at the center of concerns of each of these disciplines. It is from this cross-fertilization that the CoviZion project will be able to evolve from a multidisciplinary device to an interdisciplinary or even transdisciplinary device allowing a 360-degree reading of the complex and unprecedented societal situation that is the COVID-19 crisis. This transdisciplinary approach is essential and has important implications, such as providing tools for better efficiency in the sanitary crisis management, particularly through public health policies.La complexité de la pandémie de COVID-19 révèle d’importants débats méthodologiques et des défis quant à l’articulation de différentes approches de recherche. La recherche sociétale actuelle concernant la COVID-19 met en évidence la nécessité d'une étude holistique de la situation de la pandémie de COVID-19, fondée sur une approche de recherche multidisciplinaire. L'approche multidisciplinaire apparaît indispensable pour saisir l'ennemi invisible qu’est le virus SARS-COV-2 et ses conséquences sociétales à « l’effet domino ». Dans cet article, nous proposons des pistes de réflexion concrètes qui s’appuient sur les approches méthodologiques de l’intelligence collective et de co-design. En effet, celles-ci permettent d’engager une logique de fertilisation croisée des disciplines en positionnant l’objet d’étude au centre des préoccupations de chacune des disciplines convoquées. C’est à partir de cette fertilisation croisée que le projet CoviZion pourra évoluer en passant d’un dispositif multidisciplinaire à un dispositif interdisciplinaire voire transdisciplinaire permettant une lecture à 360 degrés de la situation sociétale complexe et inédite qu’est la crise COVID-19. Cette approche transdisciplinaire est essentielle et connaît des implications importantes, notamment celle de fournir des outils permettant une meilleure efficacité dans la gestion des crises sanitaires par les politiques de santé publiques particulièrement

Multiphoton Microscopy for Visualizing Free Virions and Revealing the Invisible Enemy

International audienc