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16 Feb 2008
Scientists could prevent flu cases in future by boosting the body's natural defences against viruses.
A study on mice carried out by McGill University in Canada inactivated two genes that repress production of a protein called interferon, which helps cells to defend against viruses.
Researchers found that the mice produced much higher levels of interferon in cells as a result of the technique, and were more resistant to infections such as influenza.
Although the practice of 'knocking out' genes cannot yet be carried out in humans, scientists believe that new drugs can soon be produced to protect people from viral infections in this way.
"People have been worried for years about potential new viral pandemics, such as avian influenzas," Nahum Sonenberg, who worked on the study, said in a statement.
"If we might now have the means to develop a new therapy to fight flu, the potential is huge."
The process was tested on the influenza virus, encephalomyocarditis virus, vesicular stomatitis virus and Sindbis virus.
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