Some viruses can wreak havoc on the brain. These UT scientists are working on a way to fix that.
A group at UTHSC led by Colleen Jonsson has put human brain cells on gumstick-sized chips, infected them with Venezuelan and Eastern equine encephalitis and used them to test an antiviral. (Courtesy Caleb Jia)
Colleen Jonsson, Ph.D., is a virologist at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center and, over the years, she’s developed a deep understanding about how our brains are protected.
“It’s remarkable and fascinating how it evolved,” she said.
Defending your brain, she explained, is a robust barrier, comprised of blood vessels, with gates designed to only let in nutrients. Glucose? Come on in. Sodium? Absolutely. Potassium? Yes, please.
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