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University of Reading scientist's virus breakthrough By Paul Cassell March 12, 2013

New research by a scientist from The University of Reading could be crucial in the fight to stop the spread of killer viruses such as HIV and bird flu.

Dr Ben Neuman has discovered a key step that some of the worlds most dangerous viruses take when they attempt to leave cells in our bodies.

Understanding how these viruses known collectively as arenaviruses transfer from cell to cell is vital for scientists looking for ways in which to combat the spread of deadly diseases.

The spreading of viruses is a major global health concern with the figures from the World Health Organisation revealing 1.8 million people died in 2010 from Aids, which is caused by contracting the virus HIV.

Recent outbreaks of SARS and avian flu have also caused many deaths around the world.

Up until now scientists knew that different viruses all exit cells via the same route, but did not know how they broke through the cell membrane.

Dr Neuman, from the School of Biological Sciences, said: Our research looked at SARS virus, which is closely related to the new coronavirus, haemorrhagic fever viruses and close relatives of avian flu and HIV.

We know that these viruses use totally different-looking tools called matrix proteins to unlock a cell door, but we made the exciting discovery that they all use the same method.

Researchers found that all of these viruses exit the cell by overloading one side of its membrane with their proteins.

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University of Reading scientist's virus breakthrough