Researchers cracking the code of bird flu time bomb

Researchers at Griffith University Institute for Glycomics, Queensland led by Professor Mark von Itzstein have developed a technique to 'crack-the-code' of the deadly H5N1 avian influenza virus. It will enable influenza virus specialists and drug researchers to interrogate one of the virus' key surface proteins without risk of infection.

The development was published this week in the world's leading international chemistry journal Angewandte Chemie International Edition available here1.

This approach will enable the rapid identification of avian and other influenza viruses that have attained the capacity to recognize human receptors and therefore acquired the potential for easy human-to-human transmission.

The Griffith team collaborated with an international project partner team at the Hong Kong University-Institut Pasteur led by Professor Malik Peiris who developed a method to insert the deadly bird flu's H5 protein in a harmless vehicle called a 'virus-like particle'.

"To better interrogate a virus protein, researchers need to be able to observe and monitor the way it functions when associated with a virus particle," Professor von Itzstein said.

"It's similar to the way it would be difficult to work out how a gun functions by only studying a bullet."

The use of these virus-like particles as a vehicle for the virus protein enables researchers to work without the need for high-containment laboratory procedures mandatory for handling live virus.


(Editor compiled and published Researchers cracking the code of bird flu time bomb at HealthNewsTrack on February 5, 2008 sourced from Griffith University - http://www.griffith.edu.au/)

Bird Flu - recent articles and current news stories:

- Bird Flu rears its head again
- Preventing future bird flu epidemics - GM chickens
- Virus hybridization could create pandemic bird flu
- New tools to study H5N1 vaccines for Bird Flu
- Human vaccine against bird flu soon

Most related articles:

- Researchers cracking the code of bird flu time bomb
- Bird flu resurfaced in Vietnam - 5.1
- Bird flu situation improving, says Indian minister - 4.7
- Bird flu alert in West Bengal, India - 4.5
- Delayed action led to bird flu spread in India - 4.3

More related articles:

- Bird flu, H5N1, Avian flu, Influenza, Virus, Infection, Virus protein, Live virus
- Virus hybridization could create pandemic bird flu - 23.4
- Bird flu resurfaced in Vietnam - 22.3
- Avian influenza situation in Egypt - a new case detected - 21.9
- New tools to study H5N1 vaccines for Bird Flu - 20

Bird Flu related articles:

- Bird flu resurfaced in Vietnam - 5.1
- Bird flu situation improving, says Indian minister - 4.7
- Bird flu alert in West Bengal, India - 4.5
- Human vaccine against bird flu soon - 4.2
- Delayed action led to bird flu spread in India - 4

Bird Flu article/news source:

Read more health articles from Griffith University and health articles from Australia.

Bird Flu - search related terms:

Avian flu, Bird flu, H5N1, Infection, Influenza, Live virus, Virus, Virus protein,
Bird Flu books,

List health news, Health organizations, Health news world, Glossary, Best health articles, Featured     Go to top

The information provided on Health Newstrack is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between a patient/site visitor and his/her physician. We comply with the HONcode principles for trustworthy health information, and Health News Track is hon code accredited, verify here.
About us, Site map Privacy policy, Disclaimer
© 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 HealthNewsTrack.com
4.03