U.S. scientists have created a computer program that provides researchers with a virtual look at the progression of the Epstein-Barr virus.

Tufts University School of Medicine researchers, in collaboration with the Virginia Bioinformatics Institute at Virginia Tech, created the Pathogen Simulation, or PathSim, to study the progression of Epstein-Barr virus in humans.

Led by Tufts Professor David Thorley-Lawson, the project combines PathSim, laboratory methods, and clinical studies to provide a new and powerful approach to understanding the virus and developing anti-viral therapies, scientists said.

"PathSim is an agent-based computer program," said Thorley-Lawson. "The agents are the virus itself, and the T and B cells of the patient’s immune system."

Using PathSim, researchers can manipulate the agents to simulate an Epstein-Barr infection and its persistence in humans.

The research is presented in the October issue of the journal PLoS Pathogens.  // Copyright 2007 by United Press International




Publication date: 24 October 2007   

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