Science Ticker Life

Molecule stops MERS spread among cultured human cells

A protein fragment has been developed to block the MERS virus (yellow) from entering human cells.

NIAID

By Ashley Yeager

A lab-developed protein fragment has stopped the spread of the MERS virus among cultured human cells.

MERS, or Middle East respiratory syndrome, is a viral respiratory illness that has infected 180 people, killing 77.

The newly developed molecule interacts with the protein that the MERS virus uses to enter a host cell, researchers report January 28 in Nature Communications. Whether the molecule can effectively block the spread of MERS in animals and humans is not yet clear.

About Ashley Yeager

Ashley Yeager is the associate news editor at Science News. She has worked at The Scientist, the Simons Foundation, Duke University and the W.M. Keck Observatory, and was the web producer for Science News from 2013 to 2015. She has a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, and a master’s degree in science writing from MIT.

More Stories from Science News on Life

  1. Neuroscience

    Early Parkinson’s trials revive stem cells as a possible treatment

    By Laura Sanders
  2. Paleontology

    Could Spinosaurus swim? The fierce dinosaur ignites debate

    By Carolyn Gramling
  3. Animals

    Bats wearing tiny mics reveal how the fliers avoid rush hour collisions

    By Susan Milius
  4. Animals

    Snakes are often the villains. A new book gives them a fair shake

    By Victoria Jaggard
  5. Paleontology

    Scotland’s Isle of Skye was once a dinosaur promenade

    By Carolyn Gramling
  6. Animals

    The story of dire wolves goes beyond de-extinction

    By Meghan Rosen
  7. Neuroscience

    Memory manipulation is the stuff of sci-fi. Someday it could be real

    By Andrea Tamayo
  8. Anthropology

    Rare books covered with seal skin hint at a medieval trade network

    By Alex Viveros