NIH Radio
Compounds Prevent Viruses from Entering Cells
Brief Description:
A study conducted by the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development indicates compounds, known as "defensins", can prevent viruses from entering cells
Transcript:
Akinso:A study conducted by the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development indicates compounds, known as "defensins", can prevent viruses from entering cells. This study provides researchers with a basic understanding of a first-line defense against such viruses as HIV and influenza, according to the study's senior author Dr. Leonid Chernomordik.
Chernomordik: We think that this approach can be of promise in developing new anti-virals. So we hopefully can develop some better understanding of why some of us are more susceptible to infection than others. Then we can maybe deal with it not only at the level of anti-virals but also maybe at the genetic level.
Akinso: Dr. Chernomordik says "defensins" do not kill viruses, but prevents them from entering a cell. Dr. Chernomordik added that future studies may yield new strategies for preventing viral diseases. This is Wally Akinso at the National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland.
About This Audio Report
Date: 9/25/2005
Reporter: Wally Akinso
Sound Bite: Dr. Leonid Chernomordik
Topic: Viruses, Disease Prevention
Institute(s): NICHD
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