The genes then tell the cell to create the proteins that make up the virus shell. From her studies, Estes, a professor of molecular biology, hopes to develop a vaccine against rotavirus. She and Prasad, an associate professor of biochemistry and molecular virology, also hope to make drugs that will stop rotavirus and Norwalk virus, another organism that causes diarrheal disease. Chiu recently visited Japan, where he saw a microscope that could bring even more viral and molecular structures into focus. Chiu's work is still in its infancy, and many scientists are unaware of its value, but he has strong supporters.
Molecular medicine is the future.
When we know these intricate structures, we can fight AIDS and cancer as well as viruses.