The rapid spread of the Zika virus has researchers working to find vulnerabilities in the virus and develop a treatment. At the University of Utah, chemists Cynthia Burrows and Aaron Fleming used DNA structures called G-quadruplexes as genetic landmarks to compare Zika with other related viruses. In a new study, Burrows and Fleming describe how the pattern of G-quadruplexes in Zika’s genome suggests a possible drug target.

Aaron Fleming | 801-585-309  | afleming@chem.utah.edu

Cynthia Burrows | 801-585-7290 | burrows@chem.utah.edu