Scientists recently found the expression of a single gene allows them to readily grow hepatitis C virus in the lab, according to Medical Xpress.
Here are six things to know:
1. Scientists conducted the study to discover what prevents non-mutated HCV from replicating in laboratory-grown cell lines. They screened 7,000 human genes to look for a gene whose expression would enable replication of non-mutated HCV.
2. The virus replicated in its non-mutated form when scientists expressed the gene SEC14L2.
3. The recent discovery allows scientists to take a blood sample from a HCV infected patient, inoculate the engineered cells and grow the patient's form of the virus in the lab.
4. Researchers still have much to learn about how SEC14L2 operates. They do know the gene inhibits lipids from interacting with dangerous reactive oxygen species, which prevents HCV replication.
5. New treatments are available for the millions infected with HCV, but those treatments are often very costly and incomplete.
6. Scientists hope to expand their knowledge about HCV and ultimately learn more about other similar viruses.
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