Purdue University biologists recently determined the viral structure of the West Nile virus (WNV), a development that could greatly augment our understanding of the virus’ life cycle.

Using cryoelectron microscopy and advanced imaging techniques, the Purdue team has determined the orientation of the major surface proteins in a West Nile viral particle. Because these proteins are instrumental in allowing the virus to bind to and invade a host cell, the research could be a step forward in combating the deadly mosquito-borne disease.

“We can now clearly understand how these proteins interact with one another,” said Richard J. Kuhn, PhD, a professor of biological sciences in Purdue’s School of Science in West Lafayette, Ind. “We can’t cure West Nile yet, but we can now start thinking about how to interfere with these interactions, which could be a key to stopping the infection’s progress.”

The team’s work appears in a recent edition of Science. For more information, visit article #4818 online