CSIRO has flu breakthrough
February 22, 2013
SCIENTISTS at Australia’s CSIRO
may have arrived at a solution to
safeguard the nation against
epidemic and pandemic flu strains.
The breakthrough development is
the result of collaboration between
the CSIRO, the University of British
Columbia and the University of
Bath, which resulted in the creation
of a drug that has been proven to
be effective in preventing the spread
of different strains of influenza in
laboratory models - including
resistant strains of the virus.
“In order to infect cells, flu viruses
bind onto sugars on the cell
surface,” the researchers said.
“To be able to spread they need
to remove these sugars.
“The new drug works by
preventing the virus from removing
sugars and blocking the virus from
infecting more cells.
“It is hoped the drug will also be
effective against future strains of
the virus,” the researchers added.
In addition, CSIRO scientist Dr
Jenny McKimm-Breschkin, said that
as the site where the drug binds is
found in all flu strains, the new
drug is expected to be effective
even against future flu strains.
It is unlikely however that the
Australian public will see the
antiviral drug anytime in the near
future, with researchers estimating
that it will take up to seven years
before the drug is released.
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