stainablesteel parent
in simple terms, it seems these are just rod-shaped RNA plasmids that encode a couple proteins and exist without any kind of membrane or coating, does that seem right? is it that elucidated?
Sure, in a redutionistic sense. In the same light "Hepatitis Delta Virus" is an RNA plasmid, yet it causes liver cancer in humans. I err on the side that the simplicity of the genetic system should not deceive us into thinking it's trivial. The next 12 months of discoveries is what makes this so exciting.