Posted On: 03/31/2016 5:10:08 PM
Post# of 63839
Zika Virus structure
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (21Alive) -- Purdue University researchers have found how the Zika virus is structured, which scientists say is critical to the development of effective vaccines and treatments.
Those findings were released on Thursday in the Journal Science, and the new information could potentially explain how the Zika virus is transmitted.
“The structure of the virus provides a map that shows potential regions of the virus that could be targeted by a therapeutic treatment, used to create an effective vaccine or to improve our ability to diagnose and distinguish Zika infection from that of other related viruses,” said Kuhn, who also is head of Purdue’s Department of Biological Sciences.
“Determining the structure greatly advances our understanding of Zika - a virus about which little is known. It illuminates the most promising areas for further testing and research to combat infection.”
The mosquito-borne illness has been associated with a birth defect called microcephaly that causes brain damage and an abnormally small head in babies born to mothers infected during pregnancy.
First human case of Zika virus confirmed in Indiana
“This breakthrough illustrates not only the importance of basic research to the betterment of human health, but also its nimbleness in quickly addressing a pressing global concern,” Purdue President Mitch Daniels said.
“This talented team of researchers solved a very difficult puzzle in a remarkably short period of time, and have provided those working on developing vaccines and treatments to stop this virus a map to guide their way.”
So far, Zika has been reported in 33 countries, including the United States.
Rossmann and Kuhn collaborated with Theodore Pierson, chief of the viral pathogenesis section of the Laboratory of Viral Diseases at the National Institutes of Health National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.
Additional research team members include Purdue graduate student Devika Sirohi and postdoctoral research associates Zhenguo Chen, Lei Sun and Thomas Klose.
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (21Alive) -- Purdue University researchers have found how the Zika virus is structured, which scientists say is critical to the development of effective vaccines and treatments.
Those findings were released on Thursday in the Journal Science, and the new information could potentially explain how the Zika virus is transmitted.
“The structure of the virus provides a map that shows potential regions of the virus that could be targeted by a therapeutic treatment, used to create an effective vaccine or to improve our ability to diagnose and distinguish Zika infection from that of other related viruses,” said Kuhn, who also is head of Purdue’s Department of Biological Sciences.
“Determining the structure greatly advances our understanding of Zika - a virus about which little is known. It illuminates the most promising areas for further testing and research to combat infection.”
The mosquito-borne illness has been associated with a birth defect called microcephaly that causes brain damage and an abnormally small head in babies born to mothers infected during pregnancy.
First human case of Zika virus confirmed in Indiana
“This breakthrough illustrates not only the importance of basic research to the betterment of human health, but also its nimbleness in quickly addressing a pressing global concern,” Purdue President Mitch Daniels said.
“This talented team of researchers solved a very difficult puzzle in a remarkably short period of time, and have provided those working on developing vaccines and treatments to stop this virus a map to guide their way.”
So far, Zika has been reported in 33 countries, including the United States.
Rossmann and Kuhn collaborated with Theodore Pierson, chief of the viral pathogenesis section of the Laboratory of Viral Diseases at the National Institutes of Health National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.
Additional research team members include Purdue graduate student Devika Sirohi and postdoctoral research associates Zhenguo Chen, Lei Sun and Thomas Klose.
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