Scientists find antibodies that attack, neutralize ZikaJune 24, 2016 - 10:13 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - European scientists announced Thursday, June 23 they had found antibodies which attack Zika, a discovery they hope will pave the way for a protective vaccine against the brain-damaging virus, AFP says. The antibodies -- frontline soldiers in the immune system -- "efficiently neutralize" Zika in human cells in lab dishes, and are also effective against its cousin virus dengue, the team reported. The discovery "could lead to the development of a universal vaccine" against both diseases, they hoped. The Zika-zapping molecules were obtained from people who had previously been infected with dengue and whose immune systems had produced antibodies to fight that disease, AFP says. "The antibodies could be used, for example, to protect pregnant women at risk of contracting the Zika virus," said Felix Rey, a virologist at France's Institut Pasteur who co-authored the twin studies, published in Nature and Nature Immunology. "We never expected to discover that the dengue virus and the Zika virus are so close that some antibodies produced against the dengue virus could also neutralise the Zika virus so potently," he added. But Rey cautioned that a working vaccine is likely far off. "There is a lot still to be done, notably to conduct a clinical trial. This may take some time." Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | The Power of One Dram to benefit Road of Life charity The companies inform that the May beneficiary of The Power of One Dram is the “Road of Life” charitable organization. Ucom General Director gives lecture at French University in Armenia The General Director of Ucom Ralph Yirikian delivered a lecture at the French University of Armenia. Kazakhstan welcomes Yerevan, Baku’s agreement to meet in Almaty Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has welcomed the agreement of Baku and Yerevan to hold negotiations in Almaty. Armenia offers to temporarily host, preserve Gaza manuscripts The Armenian Foreign Minister has said Yerevan is ready to help preserve manuscripts from the conflict zone in Gaza. |