tetano
Editor, Senior Moderator
ScienceDaily (Mar. 29, 2012) ? Researchers at the University of British Columbia have identified a number of tiny but powerful "genetic regulators" that are hijacked by avian and swine flu viruses during human infection.
The discovery, published this week in the Journal of Virology, could reveal new targets for broad-spectrum antivirals to combat current -- and perhaps future -- strains of influenza A viruses.
The study is the first to compare the role played by human microRNAs -- small molecules that control the expression of multiple genes -- in the life cycle of two viruses of continued concern to public health officials around the world.
"We know that microRNAs are implicated in many types of cancers and other human diseases, but focusing on microRNA signatures in viral infection breaks new ground," says Fran?ois Jean, Associate Professor in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology and Scientific Director of the Facility for Infectious Disease and Epidemic Research (FINDER) at UBC.
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http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/releases/243562.php
The discovery, published this week in the Journal of Virology, could reveal new targets for broad-spectrum antivirals to combat current -- and perhaps future -- strains of influenza A viruses.
The study is the first to compare the role played by human microRNAs -- small molecules that control the expression of multiple genes -- in the life cycle of two viruses of continued concern to public health officials around the world.
"We know that microRNAs are implicated in many types of cancers and other human diseases, but focusing on microRNA signatures in viral infection breaks new ground," says Fran?ois Jean, Associate Professor in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology and Scientific Director of the Facility for Infectious Disease and Epidemic Research (FINDER) at UBC.
..
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/releases/243562.php