login
Become a member
Quick Registration
Full Registration Benefits -
Free Homepages for Doctors
Free Homepages for Hospitals
Free Homepages for Medical Conference
Free Homepages for NGO's
Personal Health Record Creation
Access to all Medical Slides
Access to all Jobs & Products Sale
Structure of Key Ebola Virus Protein Identified
The researchers say that their study revealed the Ebola virus spike protein bound to an immune system antibody acts to neutralize the virus.
They say that their work is significant because it may help further scientists' understanding as to how the deadly virus works, which in turn may open the door for potential Ebola virus vaccines and treatments for those infected.
"Much about Ebola virus is still a mystery. However, this structure now reveals how this critical piece of the virus is assembled and, importantly, identifies vulnerable sites that we can exploit," Nature magazine quoted Erica Ollmann Saphire, the Scripps Research scientist who led the five-year effort, as saying.
Ebola hemorrhagic fever is presently incurable. People usually get infected with the virus when they come into contact with the bodily fluids of someone who is already infected.
Most sufferers eventually succumb to dehydration, massive bleeding, and shock.
The best treatment consists of administering fluids and taking protective measures to ensure containment, like isolating the patient and washing sheets with bleach.
A research article on the Scripps researchers' work suggests that the breakthrough achieved by them provides hope that one day modern medicine will have more to offer.
The article says that the structure of the antibody together with the viral glycoprotein helps reveal the mechanisms by which the molecules assemble on the viral surface, and explain how the pathogen evades and exploits the human immune system.
|
|
|
 Comment & Contribute
|
Medwonders Health Network
- Health News Index
- News Quick Links
| News Categories: |
| » | Schizophrenia Drug Differentiates Cancer Stem Cells into Less Threatening Cells |
| » | Docs Who Seldom Meet Drug Reps Continue to Prescribe Drugs With FDA “Black Box” Warnings |
| » | Revision in Quality Standards for Heparin |
| » | Acne Drug Users At High Risk of Developing Eye Infections |
| » | Patients Who Take Antidepressants When in ICU More Likely to Die |
| More Drug News | |
|
