(European Pressphoto Agency/Ahmed Jallanzo)The Ebola virus mutated to more effectively infiltrate human cells during the West African outbreak that killed more than 11,300 people between 2013 and 2016. Ball's team attached that mutant glycoprotein to a different virus (Ebola virus is so dangerous that it's rarely experimented on in labs) and tested its ability to infiltrate host cells. Top: Maps depict the spread of the ancestral Ebola virus (blue) and the more infectious mutant version (orange). Bottom: An illustration of the ancestral and mutant Ebola viruses infecting a human cell. Read more:Scientists trace Ebola outbreak to a tree where children playThis blood test can tell you every virus you’ve ever hadCan your genes affect your response to Ebola?

Source: Washington Post November 03, 2016 16:02 UTC