Story perspectives

Sea Anemone Protein CARDIB Boosts Antiviral Survival, Offers Pandemic Clues

7/3/2026

Summary

Story summary

Researchers at Hebrew University and UNC Charlotte identified CARD Inhibitor Binding protein (CARDIB) as an immune-brake protein essential for a sustained antiviral response in sea anemones.
In Georgetown, South Carolina estuary water, CARDIB-producing starlet sea anemones survived better than CRISPR-edited anemones lacking the gene.
The protein resembles human MAVS but suppresses immune defenses, suggesting undiscovered species may hold novel immune mechanisms for pandemic-prevention research.

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Story summary

Researchers at Hebrew University and UNC Charlotte identified CARD Inhibitor Binding protein (CARDIB) as an immune-brake protein essential for a sustained antiviral response in sea anemones.
In Georgetown, South Carolina estuary water, CARDIB-producing starlet sea anemones survived better than CRISPR-edited anemones lacking the gene.
The protein resembles human MAVS but suppresses immune defenses, suggesting undiscovered species may hold novel immune mechanisms for pandemic-prevention research.