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The discovery that short strands of RNA -- called microRNAs or short interfering RNAs (siRNAs) -- can specifically reduce the expression of certain genes has revolutionized biology in recent years. Two research teams report that, in mice, this technology can thwart respiratory infections with parainfluenza virus and respiratory syncytial virus. In humans, these viruses cause an estimated 91,000 hospitalizations per year in the U.S.
Each team created microRNAs that targeted specific genes necessary for the reproduction of the viruses. The microRNAs were shown to markedly inhibit viral activity in cell culture. Then, mice that can be infected by the human viruses were treated with microRNAs administered intranasally, either before or after bei…