A comprehensive genetic tool kit to study Zika Virus using Drosophila provides new insights into microcephaly

In collaboration with Dr. Nikki Link, we generated a comprehensive Drosophila resource to study proteins encoded by the Zika Virus. By overexpressing different proteins encoded by the Zika virus genome, we found new proteins that contribute to microcephaly. We also found that various zika proteins can cause different developmental phenotypes in flies, providing new entry points to study how the Zika virus attacks our body.