Neurons (large round cells) latently infected with herpes simplex virus-1. The latency-associated transcript (LAT) probe is the black area within certain cells. LAT microRNA works through a process called RNA interference to prevent normal cell death or apoptosis, so that latent viral infection is maintained for the lifetime of the individual because the infected cell does not die.

Image Credit: Nigel W. Fraser, PhD, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine