Viruses and antibodies. Computer artwork of four viruses (round, left) surrounded by Y-shaped immunoglobulins or antibodies (white). A white blood cell is at right. Viruses contain a core of genetic material, either DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) or RNA (ribonucleic acid) surrounded by a protein coat, or capsid, and sometimes an outer glycoprotein envelope. Antibodies are assemblies of proteins that allows the immune system to identify and neutralise foreign objects in the body. They either neutralise the pathogen directly by binding to an active region, or tag them for neutralisation by white blood cells.