Scientists, have for the first time determined the structure of the Zika virus, a breakthrough that may help develop effective vaccines for the mosquito-borne virus. A team led by Purdue University researchers identified regions within the Zika virus structure where it differs from other flaviviruses, the family of viruses to which Zika belongs.The structure of the virus provides a map that shows potential regions of the virus that could be targeted by a therapeutic treatment, said Richard Kuhn, who led the research team.The research was published in the journal Science.
The Zika virus, a mosquito-borne disease, has recently been associated with a birth defect called microcephaly that causes brain damage and an abnormally small head in babies born to mothers infected during pregnancy.