Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) is a widespread human pathogen infecting more than 80% of the population worldwide. Its replication involves an essential, poorly understood multi-step process, referred to as uncoating. Uncoating steps are as follows: 1. The incoming capsid targets the nuclear pore complex (NPC). 2. It opens up at the NPC and releases the viral genome. 3. The viral genome translocates through the NPC. Each of these steps raises numerous questions that remain unanswered as yet. We aim to shed light onto the uncoating process. For this purpose, an assay was developed which enables investigation of the uncoating process at its three individual steps as follows: Fluorescent HSV-1 capsids are generated, checked for integrity and then microinjected into Xenopuslaevis oocytes. Their subsequent binding to the NPC is detected with fluorescence microscopy while the conformational states of the capsid and the NPC are imaged with atomic force microscopy (AFM) at different stages of NPC-capsid-interactions. Using microfluidics, trigger of HSV-1 genome release out of the capsid as well as release kinetics can be monitored in real-time. In addition, AFM is applied as a nano-tool to pick up and individual HSV-1 capsid from an abiotic surface and then deliver it to the NPC to study specific capsid-NPC-interactions.