UMN Scientists Uncover Marburg Virus Entry, Find Weak Spot

Researchers link structural features of Marburg's entry protein to its high infectivity and identify a nanobody that can block cell entry.

Mar. 12, 2026 at 3:50am

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University of Minnesota researchers have published a study in Nature that sheds new light on how the deadly Marburg virus efficiently enters human cells. They found that Marburg's entry protein binds its receptor with higher affinity and undergoes structural changes that facilitate cell entry, making it up to 300 times more infectious than its relative Ebola. The team also discovered a nanobody that can bind to and block the Marburg entry protein, potentially leading to new antiviral therapies.

Why it matters

Marburg virus is one of the world's deadliest pathogens, with an average 73% fatality rate. Understanding the molecular mechanisms behind its high infectivity is crucial for developing effective treatments and countermeasures against this dangerous virus.

The details

The researchers designed a system to directly compare the entry efficiency of Marburg and Ebola viruses, finding that Marburg's entry protein can drive viral entry into human cells up to 300 times more efficiently. They determined that this is due to Marburg's entry protein binding its human receptor in a distinct orientation and with higher affinity, as well as undergoing structural changes that facilitate cell entry. Additionally, the team discovered a small antibody fragment called a nanobody that can bind to and block the Marburg entry protein, preventing the virus from attaching to cells.

  • The study was published on March 11, 2026.

The players

Fang Li

Senior author of the study and professor of pharmacology at the University of Minnesota Medical School.

Gang Ye

Assistant professor of pharmacology at the University of Minnesota.

Fan Bu

Graduate student in the Department of Pharmacology at the University of Minnesota.

Bin Liu

Associate professor at The Hormel Institute.

National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases

Provided funding for the research through the Midwest Antiviral Drug Discovery Center.

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What they’re saying

“Our study establishes a framework for fairly comparing how efficiently different viruses enter cells, which was not possible before. It also links structural features of viral entry proteins to viral infectivity, providing a roadmap for therapeutic interventions.”

— Fang Li, Professor of pharmacology (Nature)

“Marburg virus has long been a symbol of highly lethal viruses. Our study helps explain why it is so lethal and identifies a vulnerability that can be exploited by antivirals.”

— Fang Li, Professor of pharmacology (Nature)

What’s next

The researchers plan to further investigate the nanobody they discovered and explore its potential as a therapeutic agent against Marburg virus infection.

The takeaway

This study provides crucial insights into the molecular mechanisms behind Marburg virus's high infectivity, which could inform the development of new antiviral therapies and countermeasures against this deadly pathogen.