Influenza

In January 2007, CDC’s Office of Public Health Genomics (OPHG) and National Center for Influenza Research Division held a workshop to identify opportunities for public health research on the role of human genomics in influenza disease and vaccine response. The objectives of the workshop were to:

• Discuss the state of the science on human genomics and influenza.
• Consider potential research opportunities in two settings: managed care population-based “biobanks,” and outbreak and case investigations.
• Outline priorities for genomics research on determinants of influenza disease severity and vaccine response and side effects.

More than 100 participants from diverse fields—including immunology, virology, epidemiology, medicine and public health—working in government, academia, and private-sector research organizations attended the workshop. The workshop concluded by proposing priorities for genomics research on determinants of influenza disease severity and vaccine response and side effects.

Related Links

• General CDC information on influenza
• Scientific article evaluating a novel technology developed by scientists at the University of Colorado and CDC, which can identify specific influenza strains by rapidly analyzing the viral genome

  Note: this article is available free online from the Journal of Clinical Microbiology, as well as PubMed Central: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1594652/?tool=pubmed