Scientists at Zirus have been working on the development of a new class of antivirals. Using a platform called the “gene trap,” Zirus has uncovered hundreds of humans proteins essential for viral replication, in hopes that new drugs may be developed to help treat infection. This animation uses as example the life cycle of the H1N1 influenza-A virus, and depicts the methodology Zirus uses to find appropriate drug targets.

Animation from this video was used by Robert Krulwich of NPR for a story on how the flu virus invades your body.