Epstein-Barr Virus

Herpes viruses can cause not only dangerous infections in humans, but also cancer. Researchers from the Helmholtz Zentrum München and the Ludwig Maximilians University in Munich now have demonstrated, which molecular auxiliary means facilitate pathogen settlement within host cells. They analysed the function of RNA molecules, which are transferred together with the genetic material DNA  during infection. The researchers were able to show, that these molecules allow a fast manipulation of host cells in the early stages of infection. This is apparently necessary for guaranteeing a permanent settlement within the DNA genome.

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