 Hantavirus is a type of virus that causes severe illnesses in humans. Its genetic material consists of three strands of RNA, which is replicated by a specialized enzyme called a polymerase. This polymerase has been studied extensively to understand how it works and how it can be targeted by drugs. Researchers have found that the polymerase undergoes significant structural changes when it binds to its RNA substrate, allowing it to initiate replication. These findings could lead to new treatments for hantavirus infection. This article was authored by Quentin Juryutrieton, Sergio Barata Garcia, Benoit Aragaine, and others.