Researchers from UC Santa Barbara and partners have developed an optogenetic platform to identify compounds that can help the body fight off viral infections more effectively. The platform uses light to create a “virtual stress” on cells, allowing scientists to efficiently screen thousands of small molecules for their potential as antivirals.
The team discovered dozens of molecules that can act as pan-antivirals and identified two chemical scaffolds that could serve as promising development candidates for host-directed antiviral treatments. The compounds were tested on Zika, Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), and herpes, showing promise in treating these viruses.
The Integrated Stress Response (ISR) is a cellular mechanism that helps the body adapt to physiological stresses, including viral infections. However, studying this complex system can be challenging due to its multiple pathways and the need to distinguish between stress responses and cellular damage.
To overcome this challenge, the researchers developed an optogenetic platform that uses light to activate specific stress response pathways without causing trauma to cells. This approach allowed them to screen hundreds of thousands of small molecules for their potential as antivirals.
The initial screen resulted in approximately 300 compounds that selectively potentiate cell death, reducing the virus’s ability to multiply and spread. Further studies are needed to validate and optimize these compounds and understand their mechanisms of action.
This research serves as a strong proof of concept for the platform’s potential in drug discovery, with implications for treating age-related diseases such as adult-onset diabetes, neurodegenerative disorders, and cancers. The team is excited about the possibility of using this approach to bring transformative treatments to the clinic.
Source: https://news.ucsb.edu/2025/021955/optogenetic-platform-illuminates-new-antiviral-strategies