In addition to answering basic questions about how
Zika invades cells, Linhardt's group also wants to come up with a way to block the interactions between the virus and placental sugars, protecting the fetus from harm.
Using a 3D, stem
cell - based model of a first - trimester human brain, the team discovered that
Zika activates TLR3, a molecule human
cells normally use to defend against
invading viruses.