Virus News and Research

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A virus is a microscopic infectious agent that can reproduce only inside a host cell. Viruses infect all types of organisms: from animals and plants, to bacteria and archaea. Since the initial discovery of tobacco mosaic virus by Martinus Beijerinck in 1898, more than 5,000 types of virus have been described in detail, although most types of virus remain undiscovered. Viruses are ubiquitous, as they are found in almost every ecosystem on Earth, and are the most abundant type of biological entity on the planet. The study of viruses is known as virology, and is a branch of microbiology.

UTMB Researchers Develop AI Pipeline to Accelerate Pan-Alphavirus Vaccine Development

A team of scientists at The University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB), led by Nikos Vasilakis, PhD, and Peter McCaffrey, MD, has developed a new computational pipeline that could dramatically accelerate the development of vaccines against a group of mosquito-borne viruses known as alphavirus.

11 Apr 2026

Janelia Scientists Develop New Method To Study Blood-Brain Barrier Proteins

Think it was hard to get into Studio 54? Try getting through the blood-brain barrier.

10 Apr 2026

Vibrio cholerae Captures External DNA to Boost Its Antiviral Defenses

Like most bacteria, Vibrio cholerae lives under constant attack from viruses. To survive, bacteria equip themselves with antiviral immune systems.

10 Apr 2026

New Mouse Model Reveals Viral Path to Liver Cancer

Liver cancer is one of the world's deadliest cancers, and most cases are linked to chronic viral hepatitis. Yet scientists have lacked an animal model that faithfully recapitulates how the disease unfolds in people, from initial infection with a virus to liver inflammation, scarring, and cancer.

7 Apr 2026

Novel ENDOtollins Block Harmful Inflammation While Preserving Infection Response

Scripps Research scientists have developed a new class of drug compounds that reduce harmful inflammation while leaving the body's ability to fight infections intact-a long-sought goal in treating autoimmune diseases.

7 Apr 2026

MPGK Tool Streamlines Advanced Genetic Data Analysis for Bioinformatics Beginners

With the rapid expansion of genome-wide association studies (GWAS), researchers are increasingly faced with the challenge of translating large-scale genetic data into meaningful biological insights.

6 Apr 2026

Experimental Flu Vaccine That Protects Against Multiple Strains in Mice

According to a study published by investigators at Georgia State University’s Institute for Biomedical Sciences, a novel vaccine platform has been created to generate broad, protective immunity against multiple influenza virus infections, demonstrating potential as an effective mucosal vaccination approach.

6 Apr 2026

Genomic Study Reveals How Bacterial ‘Armor’ Reduces Cholera Disease Severity

Cholera-causing bacteria are locked in an evolutionary arms race with a viral nemesis, according to a new genomic study.

2 Apr 2026

Phage Eavesdropping Alters Lysis and Lysogeny Decisions Incorrectly

Viruses can "eavesdrop" on each other using chemical signals – but it can backfire for the eavesdropper, new research shows.

1 Apr 2026

Nonviral Nanoparticles Show Promise for Safer Gene Delivery Methods

In a demonstration that helps pave the way for gene therapies with fewer side effects, several human cell types were genetically modified with protein nanoparticles designed at University of Michigan Engineering and Michigan Medicine.

1 Apr 2026

How To Create Long-Lasting Immune Cells For Stronger Vaccines

Scientists at the University of Wisconsin School of Veterinary Medicine have identified a potential approach to develop longer-lasting vaccines for respiratory viruses such as influenza and the coronavirus that causes COVID-19.

1 Apr 2026

Sweat Peptide Dermcidin Prevents Flu Virus Entry Into Cells

A research team led by the Fisabio Foundation has demonstrated that dermcidin, an antimicrobial peptide produced constitutively by the human body, also exhibits antiviral activity against the influenza virus. The study also shows that people who do not develop flu-like symptoms have higher baseline levels of this molecule, which could be associated with lower susceptibility to infection.

31 Mar 2026

Novel Phage W5 Offers a Sustainable Solution for Foodborne Salmonella

Researchers from China have identified a novel bacteriophage that offers a highly promising "green" biocontrol solution against foodborne Salmonella.

27 Mar 2026

'Spiderman' Cells Trap Viral Genomes With Sticky Protein Webs

Scientists have identified a cell defense mechanism that mimics Spiderman shooting his web to ensnare enemies.

18 Mar 2026

Novel INSTALL Technology Achieves Non-Toxic Gene Integration in Multiple Cell Types

Genome editing-based therapies typically aim to treat disease by correcting underlying genetic mutations in patient's cells.

12 Mar 2026

How SARS-CoV-2 Hijacks Host tRNA Chemistry to Sustain Infection

Findings reveal coronaviruses exploit stress-linked tRNA modifications, enhancing translation efficiency and offering insights for antiviral drug development.

11 Mar 2026

ANKIB1 Identified as the Essential Master Switch for Innate Immunity

Innate immune sensors – known as pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) – detect specific molecular components of bacterial or viral intruders.

9 Mar 2026

Herpes “Liquefies” Human Cells to Speed up Infection

According to a new study, the herpes simplex virus partially liquefies the densely packed, gel-like core of human cell nuclei to duplicate itself more quickly.

6 Mar 2026

Scientists Develop Novel Tool to Profile Elusive HIV Reservoir Cells

For people living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), life-saving antiretroviral therapy keeps their HIV-infected immune cells from making new copies of the virus, preventing illness and transmission.

4 Mar 2026

Research Shows Successful Recovery of Antigen-Specific T Cells in Mouse Models

Researchers at The Jackson Laboratory (JAX), in collaboration with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), have developed the first bandage-like microneedle patch that can sample the body's immune responses painlessly from the skin. The device detects inflammatory signals within minutes and collects specialized immune cells within hours without the need for blood draws or surgical biopsies.

3 Mar 2026