Grant: Catalyst Grant: Pandemic Outbreak Team Leader

The new influenza A/H1N1 virus (commonly called swine flu virus) has been propagated rapidly among humans raising the pandemic alert to level 5 on April 29, 2009. Although the vast majority of cases outside Mexico appear benign, there exists a real possibility for sustained circulation of this virus among humans and increased virulence due to reassortment (mixing of viral segments) and/or mutations. In this research program, we propose to establish a Canadian network of investigators to track the molecular and antigenic evolution of this new influenza virus which will have important outcomes in terms of laboratory diagnosis and vaccine development. In addition, we will evaluate its susceptibility to a panel of investigational antiviral agents and initiate the development of new compounds targeting the viral RNA polymerase. At term, our research should have an impact on the propagation of this virus by improving its detection and designing new antiviral strategies to counteract the development of viral resistance.