Government Technology

Avian Flu Research may Speed Vaccine Development



Big Picture

March 3, 2008 By

MIT researchers uncovered a critical difference between the flu viruses that infect birds and humans. This discovery could help scientists monitor the evolution of avian flu strains and develop vaccines against a deadly flu pandemic.

The researchers found that a virus's ability to infect humans depends on whether it can bind to one specific shape of receptor on the surface of human respiratory cells.

In addition to helping researchers develop a better way to track the evolution of avian flu that leads to human adaptation, these findings will aid in developing more effective strategies for seasonal flu, which still is a leading cause of death.

Shown here is a colorized transmission electron micrograph of avian influenza A (H5N1) viruses (seen in gold) grown in MDCK cells (seen in green).

- Anne Trafton, MIT


You may use or reference this story with attribution and a link to
http://www.govtech.com/health/Avian-Flu-Research-may-Speed-Vaccine.html


| More

Comments

Add Your Comment

You are solely responsible for the content of your comments. We reserve the right to remove comments that are considered profane, vulgar, obscene, factually inaccurate, off-topic, or considered a personal attack.

GovTech Papers and Case Studies View Library


Government Best Practices


Collaboration for the Public Sector


Collaborative Justice: Transforming Criminal Justice Services Through Unified Collaboration
This issue brief examines video collaboration in every stage of the human justice process, demonstrating how this technology can not only make services more efficient, affordable, and accessible.

Cloud-Based Services Accelerate Public Sector Adoption of Video Collaboration
Today, thanks to new cloud technologies and high-quality networks, mobile video services - which provide not only cost savings but which help governmental interactions become more efficient - are more feasible than ever before.

Modernization as a Service: Acquiring IT through Innovative Procurement

Five Ways Collaboration is Driving Government Performance

Mobile Video Collaboration: The New Business Reality
 

Government Technology
Public CIO
Emergency Management
Digital Communities