Mouse antibodies pinpoint Zika's weak spots
Wednesday, July 27, 2016 - 17:11
in Biology & Nature
This image shows the mapping of the three distinct Zika virus DIII epitopes onto the mature virion. Antibodies that specifically protect against Zika infection have been identified in mice, report Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis researchers on July 27 in Cell. This is the second publication in recent weeks (another paper showing human Zika antibodies appeared in Science on July 14, DOI: 10.1126/science.aaf8505) that explores the surfaces that the antibodies target on the virus. The information will help inform the development of vaccines, diagnostics, and antibody-based prophylactic and therapeutic agents.