Researchers at Albert Einstein College of Medicine of
Yeshiva University have discovered a novel strategy for preventing infections
due to the highly common herpes simplex viruses, the microbes responsible for
causing genital herpes (herpes simplex virus 2) and cold sores (herpes simplex
virus 1). The finding, published online by The FASEB Journal, could lead to new
drugs for treating or suppressing herpes virus infections.
"We've essentially identified the molecular
"key" that herpes viruses use to penetrate cell membranes and infect
cells of the human body," said Betsy Herold, M.D., professor of pediatrics
(infectious diseases), of microbiology & immunology and of obstetrics &
gynecology and women's health at Einstein and attending physician of
pediatrics, The Children's Hospital at Montefiore.