Staying One Step Ahead Of H5N1

Scientists are actively trying to stay a few steps ahead of the H5N1 virus by identifying which mutations need to occur for human-to-human transmission of the virus to happen with greater frequency. One of the key areas of focus appears to be a protein called haemaggluttinin which sits on the surface of the H5N1 molecule. This protein enables the virus to grab on to cells in the host animal or person and infect them with the virus. It is believed that this protein would need to mutate in order for the H5N1 virus to pack more of a human punch. In its current mutation the protein does not easily attach itself to human cells.

"This work shows that at least two changes in the haemaggluttinin protein are needed for H5N1 to transform to strain that could infect humans, and knowing what these are will help to inform surveillance."

Source: [BBC]
Image Credit: [KH]

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Staying One Step Ahead Of H5N1

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