Drug candidate takes new aim at MERS

Chemical disrupts virus assembly centers

FACTORY SHUTDOWN  After infecting a human cell (shown), coronaviruses hijack membranes from the cell to form their own little viral factories (cluster of pale circles in center of image; dark circle in middle holds new virus particles). A new drug candidate blocks construction of these factories and halts viral growth.

Volker Thiel, Edward Trybala and colleagues

An experimental drug that shuts down construction of virus-making factories could become a new weapon against MERS and similar respiratory diseases.