Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 4, 2025

High-throughput Screening for Broad-spectrum Chemical Inhibitors of RNA Viruses
Published on: May 5, 2014
Challenges with the discovery of RNA-based therapeutics for flaviviruses
Mei-Yue Wang1, Rong Zhao1, Yu-Lan Wang1
1Key Laboratory of Cellular Physiology at Shanxi Medical University, Ministry of Education, and the Department of Physiology, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China.
Introduction:
Flaviviruses are emerging or reemerging pathogens that have caused several outbreaks throughout the world and pose serious threats on human health and economic development. RNA-based therapeutics are developing rapidly, and hold promise in the fight against flaviviruses. However, to develop efficient and safe therapeutics for flaviviruses, many challenges remain unsolved.
Areas Covered:
In this review, the authors briefly introduced the biology of flaviviruses and the current advances in RNA-based therapeutics for them. Furthermore, the authors list the challenges and possible solutions in this area. Finally, the authors give their opinion on the development and future of RNA-based therapeutics for flaviviruses.
Expert Opinion:
With the rapid development of structural biology, the crystal structures of flavivirus proteins may lay the foundation for future rational drug design. Studies regarding the interactions between the flavivirus and the host will also be invaluable to inhibitor design. Researchers should maintain the current momentum to bring about safe and effective anti-flavivirus drugs to licensure through joint efforts of academia, government, and industry.
Related Concept Videos
Viruses with RNA Genomes
Leaky Scanning
RNA Interference
This process occurs naturally in cells, often through the activity of genomically-encoded microRNAs. Researchers can take advantage of this mechanism by introducing synthetic RNAs to deactivate specific genes for research or therapeutic purposes. For example, RNAi could be used...
Viral Mutations
Experimental RNAi
Size and Structure of Viral Genomes

