Classical swine fever virus (CSFV) is the causative agent of classical swine fever (CSF), an economically important viral disease affecting the pig industry in many countries. To date, only heparan sulfate (HS) has been identified to be an attachment receptor for CSFV. Here, using RNA interference screening with small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) against a number of porcine membrane protein genes, a group led by Prof. Hua-Ji Qiu at Harbin Veterinary Research Institute (HVRI) of CAAS  identified the laminin receptor (LamR) to be another attachment receptor for CSFV. They demonstrate the involvement of LamR together with HS in virus attachment, and they elucidate the relationship between LamR and HS. LamR also serves as an attachment receptor for many viral pathogens, including dengue virus, a fatal human flavivirus. The study will help to enhance our understanding of the life cycle of flaviviruses and the development of antiviral strategies for flaviviruses. This achievement has been published in a recent issue of Journal of Virolog(http://jvi.asm.org/content/89/9/4894.long)