These viruses use RNA as their primary genetic material and to guide protein synthesis. Craig Cameron, assistant professor of biochemistry and molecular biology led the team researching ribavirin, a synthetic compound that prevents RNA viruses from working at the cellular level.
Ribavirin also has the capability to alter the virus structure at the genetic level.
The researchers examined poliovirus as the model in their experiments. Their findings were published in the December 2000 issue of Nature Medicine. When that happens, it changes the behavior of the base pairs of the RNA and the virus no longer produces faithful copies of itself. In that manner, ribavirin effectively shifts the internal balance of the virus and the virus suffers from a genetic meltdown. Most organisms have genetic material comprised of DNA while RNA directs protein synthesis.