SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – Scientists at UC Santa Barbara are using light in a new way to fight viruses.
Through a method known as optogenetics, researchers are able to activate the body’s natural stress response without damaging healthy cells.
In their lab, the team discovered dozens of new compounds that successfully blocked viruses such as Zika, RSV, and herpes. They believe these light-activated molecules could eventually lead to powerful, broad-spectrum antiviral drugs…