Untitled Flashcards Set

Viral Protein Drug

A drug developed to target a viral protein, minimizing harm to host cells but risking viral resistance.

Host Cell Drug

A drug designed to target host cell proteins or mechanisms, with low resistance development risk but high side effect chances.

RNA Manipulation

The process of taking viral mRNA, converting it to cDNA, and inserting it into a plasmid for study and mutation.

In vitro Drug Testing

Testing drugs using purified viral proteins like protease in laboratory assays to determine efficacy.

Bacterial Drug Testing

Evaluating drug effectiveness against engineered bacteria expressing viral proteins, measuring growth response.

In silico Drug Testing

Use of computer modeling and crystallography to match drug structures with viral protein targets.

Optimal Drug Dose

The correct amount of drug that effectively prevents viral replication without promoting resistance.

CCR5 Inhibition

A method of preventing HIV infection by blocking the CCR5 receptor, which is non-essential for normal cell function.

M2 Protein of Influenza

A membrane protein that facilitates proton entry in the virus, targeted by antiviral drugs to prevent viral uncoating.

Replication Inhibitors

Drugs that terminate DNA replication through structural alteration, such as acyclic nucleosides that need viral enzyme activation.

Oncolytic Viruses

Viruses engineered or naturally occurring that selectively infect and kill cancer cells while stimulating an immune response.

HERVH

An endogenous retrovirus involved in maintaining stem cell identity, anchored in the genetic regulation of cell pluripotency.

LINE1 Expression

The activity of a specific retrotransposon impacting gene regulation and integrity, especially in cancer processes.

Transposons

Genetic elements capable of changing their position within the genome, contributing to genetic diversity and evolution.

Endolysins

Proteins produced by phages to break down bacterial cell walls, serving as a potential antibiotic alternative.

Phage Therapy

The use of bacteriophages to target and kill specific bacteria, providing an alternative to traditional antibiotics.

Viral Entry Mechanisms

The various processes by which viruses enter host cells, including endocytosis and membrane fusion.

Antiviral Resistance

The ability of a virus to withstand the effects of an antiviral drug, often due to mutations in viral proteins.

Gene Therapy

A technique that modifies a person's genes to treat or prevent disease, including the use of viruses as vectors.

Stem Cell Therapy

The use of stem cells to treat or prevent a disease or condition, often involving engineered viruses.

Virus-Host Interaction

The dynamic relationship between a virus and its host, affecting infection outcomes and immune responses.

Host Immune Evasion

Strategies employed by viruses to evade the host's immune system, enhancing viral survival and replication.

Protein-Protein Interactions

Interactions between viral and host proteins that can facilitate viral replication or inhibit immune responses.

Bacteriophage Engineering

The process of modifying bacteriophages to enhance their ability to target specific bacteria in phage therapy.

Synthetic Antivirals

Laboratory-created drugs that mimic natural substances in combating viral infections.

Viral Genome Sequencing

The technique of determining the nucleotide sequence of a virus's genome to understand its characteristics and evolution.

Vaccination Strategies

Approaches to induce immunity against viruses, such as live-attenuated or inactivated vaccines.

Broad-Spectrum Antivirals

Antiviral agents that are effective against a wide range of viruses rather than targeting a specific one.

Nucleotide Analogues

Compounds that mimic natural nucleotides and are used as antiviral agents to inhibit viral replication.

Viral Tropism

The specificity of a virus for a particular host tissue or cell type, determined by receptors and cellular factors.

Immune Modulators

Agents that influence the immune response, which can be used to enhance antiviral defenses.

Host Factor Targeting

The strategy of targeting host cell proteins or pathways to prevent viral replication.