Potential Drug Target Identified for Zika, Similar Viruses (IMAGE)
Caption
A transmission electron micrograph image of the Zika virus. Scientists potentially have found a way to disrupt Zika and similar viruses from spreading in the body. A team at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis has identified a single gene pathway that is vital for Zika and other flaviviruses to spread infection between cells. Further, they showed that shutting down a single gene in this pathway -- in both human and insect cells -- does not negatively affect the cells themselves and renders flaviviruses unable to leave the infected cell, curbing the spread of infection.
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Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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