A team from Purdue University and the National Institutes of Health used cryo-electron microscropy to create the picture of a mature Zika virus particle.
The process included freezing virus particles and firing a stream of high-energy electrons via the sample to create several two-dimensional electron micrograph images.
The images were then combined to prodice a composite high-resolution, three-dimensional view of the virus.
Researchers have also identified regions within the Zika virus structure where it differs from other flaviviruses, the family of viruses to which it belongs including dengue, West Nile, yellow fever, Japanese encephalitis and tick-borne encephalitic viruses.
Purdue Institute for Inflammation, Immunology and Infectious Diseases (PI4D) director Richard Kuh said: "The structure of the virus provides a map that shows potential regions of the virus that could be targeted by a therapeutic treatment, used to create an effective vaccine or to improve our ability to diagnose and distinguish Zika infection from that of other related viruses.
"Determining the structure greatly advances our understanding of Zika – a virus about which little is known. It illuminates the most promising areas for further testing and research to combat infection."
Scientists at the University of Manchester are also developing a new vaccine against the Zika virus, which is spread to people through mosquito bites.
The virus is generally mild and self-limiting, lasting two to seven days. Its symptoms include fever, rash, joint pain, itching, conjunctivitis or red eyes, headache, muscle pain, and eye pain.
Image: A representation of the surface of the Zika virus with protruding envelope glycoproteins (red) shown. Photo:cCourtesy of Kuhn and Rossmann research groups, Purdue University.