Study finds new way to develop novel vaccines

Figure demonstrating nucleocapsid disassembly--splitting into two alternatives:  1. Genomic RNA C:R Interaction TO Efficient Genomic RNA Function/Translation TO Increased viral growth kinetics, reduced IFN induction, increased virulence.  2. Ablated C:R Interaction TO Inefficient Genomic RNA Function/Instability TO  Decreased viral growth kinetics, increased IFN induction, decreased virulence.

A study from the lab of Professor Richard Hardy and collaborators at University of Louisville Medical School and University of Colorado Medical School has established a link between alphavirus RNA stability, mediated by binding of a viral protein, and viral pathogenesis. The study published in PLoS Pathogens identifies new means by which to attenuate this important group of pathogens in order to develop novel vaccines.