Not all noroviruses are the same. In fact, noroviruses are among the most diverse viruses known. They also evolve at a remarkable pace — earning them the nickname “the Ferrari of viruses.” Like many viruses, noroviruses can evolve by accumulating mutations in their genetic material. Some of these mutations can lead to structural changes in the virus, which may affect how it interacts with the human body.
One key interaction is between noroviruses and histo-blood group antigens (HBGAs) — a family of sugar molecules found on the surface of cells in our gut. Structural changes in the virus can alter how it binds to these sugars, meaning that different strains of norovirus may attach to different types of HBGAs.
Our research aims to develop a treatment for norovirus infection based on human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs). These are complex sugars naturally found in human breast milk that can bind to noroviruses at the same site they use to attach to HBGAs. By mimicking HBGAs, specially designed HMO-based molecules could act as “decoy receptors”, preventing the virus from binding to our cells and causing infection.
Francisco Morais Esteves [DC7] is currently studying how selected norovirus strains bind to HBGAs and intestinal tissues. He is also testing whether conventional HMOs and new HMO-based molecules can block this binding, paving the way for potential antiviral therapies. Get to know more about his research (and more!) in this video that he prepared for you!
