Epstein Barr Virus EBV

In News 

• Recently, Scientists found that cancer-causing virus Epstein Barr Virus (EBV) can infect the neuronal cells and drive various changes in biomolecules such as fatty acids, carbohydrates, and protein components, leading to diseases of the central nervous system as well as brain cancer.

About the Study 

• A research team from IIT Indore utilised the Raman microspectroscopy technique, supported by the Department of Science and Technology (DST) under FIST scheme to explore the possible impacts of a cancer-causing virus on brain cells. 
  • The technique based on Raman Effect is a simple, cost-effective tool to find sensitive chemical changes in biological samples.

Image Courtesy:PIB

• Significance 
  • The research work aids in the understanding of EBV-mediated biomolecular changes in the various compartments of the central nervous system leading to better understanding of nervous system diseases
    • The study is also helpful in establishing the advantages of Raman microspectroscopy, a cost-effective and non-invasive technique, in carrying out studies on virus-associated cellular complications in clinical settings.

About Epstein Barr Virus (EBV)

• The EBV virus has been found to be widely present in the human population. 
• It usually does not cause any harm, but the virus gets reactivated inside the body in some unusual conditions like immunological stress or immunocompetence. 
• This may further lead to various complications like a type of blood cancer called Burkitt’s lymphoma, stomach cancer, multiple sclerosis, and so on. 
  • It spreads primarily through saliva. 
• Earlier studies provided links of EBV involvement in various neurodegenerative diseases. 
  • However, how this virus can affect the cells of the brain and manipulate them is still unexplored.

Source:PIB