Largest viral-protein library opens new avenues for pathogen research
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Researchers have created the largest library of viral proteins, covering over 67,000 sequences from 3,500 viruses. The tool enables systematic study of how viral proteins interact with human cells, potentially accelerating vaccine and treatment development.
The Protein Library
The library, described in a study published in Nature, includes proteins from viruses that infect humans, animals, and plants. Each protein is tagged with a barcode, allowing researchers to track its effects on human cells in high-throughput experiments. The collection covers 67,715 protein sequences from 3,508 viral species.
Research Applications
Using the library, scientists identified 289 human proteins targeted by viral proteins, many previously unknown. The data revealed common strategies viruses use to hijack cellular machinery, such as suppressing immune responses. The tool has already been used to study SARS-CoV-2, hepatitis B, and influenza.
What's Next
The team plans to expand the library to include more viruses and protein variants. It remains unclear how quickly the findings will translate into new vaccines or therapies.
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Largest viral-protein library opens new avenues for pathogen research
