Princeton Hepatitis E Study (IMAGE) Princeton University Caption Researchers at Princeton and Rutgers universities have found that the hepatitis E virus -- an emerging liver virus historically found in developing countries but now on the rise in Europe -- uses a technique to spread infection that scientists could in fact exploit to treat the disease. The researchers found that, when in an infected cell (above), the hepatitis E virus pokes holes in a host cell's membrane by producing a protein known as viroporin (green dots). The holes act as ion channels that eventually cause the infected cell to burst, releasing new hepatitis E viruses that can infect more cells. The researchers suggest that curtailing the virus' ability to produce viroporins may prevent it from being able to attack other cells. Credit Alexander Ploss Usage Restrictions Credit Alexander Ploss License Licensed content Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.