Hitting virus infections where it hurts

Virus infection starts at the cell surface with interactions between viral and host proteins that bind together. Researchers are working on ways to lock out the virus or prevent it from reproducing in the cell by targeting these proteins.

The dynamic relationship between viruses and host cells they are infecting is dominated by carbohydrates called glycans and glycan-binding proteins (GBPs). These complex interactions control entry of virus into the cell, virus replication in the cell and recognition of the virus by the host’s immune system followed by possible neutralisation and elimination of the infection.

Further details: Hitting virus infections where it hurts