TALLAHASSEE, Fl. (WTXL) -- As flu season continues to ramp up, recent research from a chemistry professor at FSU may have potential on treating the virus in the future.
The research done has taught Chemistry and Biochemistry professor Tim Cross and his team more about what happens as a virus begins to affect a cell in the body. The research was conducted using the National Maglab's most sensitive nuclear magnetic resonance magnet.
With it, Cross and his team were able to specifically learn about the infection process.
A quick summary of the process is that as the virus contacts a cell, it enters a channel of acid that tranfers protons to the cell, which would result in infection and spread of the virus. Now this channel has been known by scientists already, but the size and sensitivity of the magnet at the Maglab are so large that the channel is very clear.
This helps scientists spot new findings that may help them find a new treatment for the flu in the future, in light of some strains becoming resistant to drugs.
"We've had drug resistance in influenza. we have fewer drugs today that can solve your symptoms from an influenza infection", said Cross. "So we desperately need to have more drugs, better drugs."
The Department of Health still recommends those who haven't already, get their flu shots for the upcoming season. They hope that the process of yearly vaccines will change in the future.
"The more that we can do to try to find ways to prevent flu or to treat it more effectively can save many, many, thousands of lives and reduce costs that are related to hospitalizations and sickness so its tremendously important," said Dr. Russell Eggert, Chief of the Bureau of Epidemiology at the Florida Department of Health.
For more on the Professor Cross and his team's research, click here.
