Knockouts in human cells point to pathogenic targets
In the rare human cell line used for this genetic screen, the cells have only one copy of each chromosome, except for chromosome 8, which has two copies. Because this cell line has only one copy of almost all of the chromosomes, it is ideal for efficiently making knockout human cells.
Image: Science/AAAS.
When exposed to the influenza virus, normal cells (far left) were infected with the virus (stained green). The virus was unable to infect cells with mutant versions of an enzyme that it needs to take over the cells (left).
