Understanding the negative sense intermediate in the replication of foot-and-mouth-disease virus

2001年英国爆发的口蹄疫给农业和旅游业造成了数十亿英镑的损失。这种疾病在世界许多地区广泛传播(包括在与欧洲接壤的国家爆发)，并在动物之间迅速传播。因此，尽管存在贸易限制，但英国将不可避免地爆发另一场疫情。这种致病因子是一种病毒，我们正在研究如何在细胞内复制其遗传物质来传播感染。这一过程的方方面面是该病毒独有的，因此，了解细节可能会导致未来更好的疾病控制，如更安全的疫苗。

The UK 2001 outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease resulted in billions of pounds of losses to the agriculture and tourism industries. This disease is widespread in many parts of the world (including outbreaks in countries bordering Europe) and transmits between animals very rapidly. Therefore, despite trade restrictions, another UK outbreak is inevitable. The disease-causing agent is a virus and we are studying how copies of its genetic material are made inside cells to spread infection. Aspects of this process are unique to this virus and an understanding of the fine details could therefore lead to better disease control in the future, such as safer vaccines.