Unique Structure Of African Swine Fever Virus Enzyme May Allow Drug Development

Mar 01, 2017

A DNA-copying protein from a lethal pig virus has a unique structure that may offer a target for drugs designed to combat this important agricultural disease, according to a study publishing February 28th in the open-access journal PLOS Biology by Yiqing Chen and colleagues at Fudan University in Shanghai, China.

African swine fever virus (ASFV) is a highly contagious and deadly disease in pigs that has spread from Africa to areas of Europe and Asia. Currently there are no treatments, and control relies on killing entire herds once infection is detected. Viral replication depends in part on a polymerase enzyme, AsfvPolX, that repairs breaks in the DNA, but the structure of this enzyme has not been determined in detail. Here, the authors used X-ray diffraction and nuclear magnetic resonance to solve the structure at atomic resolution.

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Video: What Successful AI Implementation Looks Like in the Protein Industry | Ben Allen, CEO of BinSentry

In this conversation, Ben Allen, CEO of BinSentry, explores what separates successful AI implementation from early experimentation across the protein industry. As producers begin integrating artificial intelligence into their operations, the most effective implementations share common themes: strong data foundations, practical use cases, and a focus on solving real operational challenges. Ben discusses why data quality and integration are essential for AI to deliver meaningful results, and why technology alone is not enough. Successful adoption also depends heavily on people, training, and company culture, ensuring teams understand how to use new tools and trust the insights they provide. Looking ahead, the conversation highlights the steps protein producers can take today—from improving data infrastructure to embracing digital tools—to position their operations for long-term success in an increasingly AI-driven industry.