The protein DZIP3 can sense viral genetic material.
It changes shape and moves to mitochondria.
It activates immune defenders called interferons.
It works against viruses such as COVID‑19, Chikungunya and Japanese Encephalitis.
Researchers are trying to create drugs that boost DZIP3.
When the alarm sounds, it wakes up the cell’s power stations called mitochondria to start fighting ⚡.
This helps stop bad germs like the COVID‑19 virus from making us sick 😷.
Scientists hope to make medicines that can turn this alarm on faster.
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