Neuregulin 1 discovered as a cleavage target for the HCV NS3/4A protease by a microfluidic membrane protein array.

The hepatitis C virus (HCV) non-structural protein 3 (NS3) is essential for HCV maturation. The NS3/4A protease is a target for several HCV treatments and is a well-known target for HCV drug discovery. The protein is membrane associated and thus probably interacts with other membrane proteins.

Type VI secretion system MIX-effectors carry both antibacterial and anti-eukaryotic activities.

Most type VI secretion systems (T6SSs) described to date are protein delivery apparatuses that mediate bactericidal activities. Several T6SSs were also reported to mediate virulence activities, although only few anti-eukaryotic effectors have been described. Here, we identify three T6SSs in the marine bacterium and show that T6SS1 mediates bactericidal activities under warm marine-like conditions.

Microfluidic large scale integration of viral-host interaction analysis.

Viral-host interactions represent potential drug targets for novel antiviral strategies (Flisiak et al., Hepatology, 2008, 47, 817-26). Hence, it is important to establish an adequate platform for identifying and analyzing such interactions.