All images are courtesy of the National Cancer Institute
Researchers at Chiron made virology history in 1987 when they discovered the hepatitis C virus (HCV), not by isolating viral particles, but by cloning and sequencing its genome. Subsequently, scientists developed tests for HCV infection and deciphered aspects of its lifecycle. But the virus has stubbornly resisted every attempt to grow it in vitro, leaving major parts of its biology inscrutable.
But not for long: Researchers have finally found a way to produce HCV in the lab, along with two other notoriously difficult-to-grow human pathogens – human papillomavirus (HPV) and Norwalk virus (NV). The developments should ease basic research into these three viruses and aid historically hampered efforts to develop diagnostics, vaccines, and drugs. Yet researchers say chances are slim the methods will directly aid research into other recalcitrant viruses in the future.
"Progress is almost linearly connected with the ability ...
