This Week in Virology TWiV 1237: Hepatitis C and persistence with Charlie Rice
Jul 20, 2025
Charlie Rice, a distinguished virologist and 2020 Nobel Laureate, shares his remarkable journey in hepatitis C research. He discusses the challenges of replicating the virus in the lab, highlighting innovative techniques and breakthroughs in understanding viral pathogenesis. The conversation dives into the evolution of research strategies, the importance of public advocacy for scientific funding, and how the pandemic reshaped Nobel Prize celebrations. Rice's insights bring to light the collaborative spirit and perseverance in the field of virology.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
HCV Replicon Boosted Drug Discovery
- The HCV replicon system became a vital cell-based tool to screen antiviral drugs and understand viral mechanisms.
- It revealed key viral protein targets, such as NS5A, leading to potent hepatitis C antiviral drugs.
Animal Models After Chimpanzees
- After chimpanzee models ended, hepatitis C animal models were explored, including horse, deer mouse, rat viruses.
- The Norway rat hepacivirus became a promising model due to its infection capability in lab mice.
Hepatitis C Cure Complexity
- Despite effective antiviral treatments for hepatitis C, global elimination is hindered by identification and access challenges.
- Vaccine development remains valuable, especially for some communities, despite current drug advances.