avian influenza

TWiV 198: Pox has got a squeeze-box, seals are gonna sneeze all night

This Week in Virology / By

On episode #198 of the science show This Week in Virology, Vincent, Alan, Rich, and Kathy review fatal avian influenza virus in harbor seals, and poxvirus deployment of genomic accordions to counter antiviral defenses. There once was a virus named pox Whose genome contained a squeeze-box When placed under pressure It expanded its measure Overcoming the …

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Moratorium on influenza H5N1 transmission research

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In letters to Science and Nature, the authors of the controversial avian H5N1 influenza virus transmission experiments in ferrets, together with other influenza virologists, have agreed to a 60 day moratorium on transmission research: …we have agreed on a voluntary pause of 60 days on any research involving highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 viruses leading …

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Influenza neuraminidase and H5N1 pathogenicity

4 Comments / Basic virology, Information / By

There are two glycoproteins embedded in the influenza viral membrane: the hemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase (NA). The NA, shown in yellow in the illustration, is an enzyme that removes sialic acids from the surface of the cell, so that newly formed virions can be released. The NA protein is composed of a box-like head attached …

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