Scientists have made a major breakthrough in understanding the replication of the dengue virus. Using atomic-level imaging, researchers have been able to construct a detailed 3D picture of the virus, and how it interacts with antiviral drugs. This breakthrough could pave the way for more effective treatments of the virus in the future.

The dengue virus is a major global health problem, causing severe fever, joint pain, and rash. It is spread mainly through mosquito bites, and infects around 390 million people each year.

This new research could help to develop more effective treatments for the virus, as scientists can now see exactly how the virus interacts with antiviral drugs. The 3D pictures show that the antiviral drugs attach to the virus in two different ways, depending on the shape of the drug. This helps to explain why some antiviral drugs are more effective than others in treating dengue.

This research is the first of its kind, and could open up a new era of treatments for dengue and other viruses. The next step is to figure out how to use this information to develop better antiviral drugs.

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source: Phys.org