New study reveals how human astroviruses bind to humans cells and paves the way for new therapies and vaccines.
New study reveals how human astroviruses bind to humans cells and paves the way for new therapies and vaccines.
Human astroviruses are a leading viral cause of the stomach bug—think vomiting, diarrhea, and fever. It often impacts young children and older adults, leading to vicious cycles of sickness and malnutrition, particularly for those in low and middle income countries. It’s very commonly found in wastewater studies, meaning it’s frequently circulating in communities. As of now, there are no vaccines for this virus.
New research from the lab of Rebecca DuBois, a professor of biomolecular engineering at the University of California, Santa Cruz, reveals the strategy that the human astrovirus uses to enter the body. A study detailing these results was published in the journal Nature Communications.
“We uncovered a really important part of the virus lifecycle, and now we know exactly where on the virus this important interaction with the human receptor occurs,” DuBois said. “Now we can develop vaccines that will target it and block that interaction—it really guides future vaccine development.”
Read More: University of California – Santa Cruz
Image: Adam Lentz, a Ph.D. student in the DuBois lab at UC Santa Cruz, led a project to better understand the structure of human astroviruses. (Credit: Rebecca DuBois/ UC Santa Cruz)
