Scientists have developed a way to replicate the Zika virus, stripping it of the genes that make the virus infectious, an advance that may pave the way for vaccine development. <br/><br/>The replicon system was engineered by attaching genes that allow researchers to tag certain parts of the virus that they are interested in making it a powerful tool for vaccine development.<br/><br/>The chemical that gives fireflies their signature glow, was used to make targeted viral components light up – making processes like replication much easier to observe. <br/><br/>Zika virus outbreak has highlighted the urgent need to establish genetic tools for studying how the virus multiplies and causes disease within a newly infected person in order to develop countermeasures.

Scientists have developed a way to replicate the Zika virus, stripping it of the genes that make the virus infectious, an advance that may pave the way for vaccine development. <br/><br/>The replicon system was engineered by attaching genes that allow researchers to tag certain parts of the virus that they are interested in making it a powerful tool for vaccine development.<br/><br/> The chemical that gives fireflies their signature glow, was used to make targeted viral components light up – making processes like replication much easier to observe. <br/><br/>Zika virus outbreak has highlighted the urgent need to establish genetic tools for studying how the virus multiplies and causes disease within a newly infected person in order to develop countermeasures.