Penn State Researchers Film Zika RNA in Cells

A new fluorescent tagging technique allows scientists to watch viral RNA move through host cells in real time.

Updated on Oct. 27, 2026 in Life Sciences

Microscopic view of glowing RNA strands branching through translucent cellular structures in deep navy and electric blue tones. — Penn State researchers successfully visualized the movement of Zika virus RNA within living host cells using a new fluorescent tagging technique. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Researchers at Penn State have developed a fluorescent imaging tool to track the movement of Zika and chikungunya RNA inside living host cells. The technique provides a window into the native infectious life cycle of these pathogens.

Why it matters

By observing how viral RNA interacts with host cells, scientists can better understand the mechanics of infection. This approach offers a new method to study the progression of RNA-based diseases at a cellular level.

The study utilized a dual-action aptamer tag called Mango-II that binds to a green fluorescent stain. The tag ceases emission once the virus transitions into the double-stranded RNA replication stage.

The players

Penn State

This public research university in Pennsylvania is home to the scientific team that developed the new live-cell imaging technique.

The details

The team inserted Mango-II DNA sequences directly into the protein-coding regions of the viral genomes. These tags form secondary structures on the single-stranded viral RNA, allowing researchers to visualize the infection process under a microscope.

Development of the imaging tools spanned from 2017 to 2026.
The research findings were published on October 27, 2026.

The Big Picture

This discovery extends the capabilities of the Penn State RNA imaging research program by adding real-time tracking of Zika and chikungunya. The advancement shifts the field away from static snapshots toward dynamic visualization of viral lifecycles.

This imaging method could eventually lead to new medical treatments by revealing how viruses like hepatitis C or rhinovirus infect human cells. Such insights are essential for developing more effective antiviral therapies in the future.

The takeaway

Understanding the real-time movement of viral RNA provides a critical foundation for disrupting the replication process of various diseases. Researchers anticipate this technology will prove versatile enough to study a wide range of RNA-based pathogens.