lasers detect emerging flu strains

UGA researchers have received significant NIH support for development of new tools to detect virus strains of influenza:

researchers are refining a nanotechnology-based method that uses laser light beams to more accurately predict emerging influenza strains-particularly strains with a risk of high mortality. The work will be funded by the National Institutes of Health and will total $1,124,914 over the next four years.

Influenza kills thousands of people each year worldwide-the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that 3,000 to 49,000 flu-related deaths occurred annually in the United States alone from 1976 to 2007. Millions are immunized every year against influenza, but vaccines aren't always effective because it is difficult to predict the flu strain for a given year.

Richard Dluhy, professor of chemistry in the Franklin College of Arts and Sciences, along with Stephen Tompkins and Ralph Tripp, associate professor and professor of infectious diseases in the College of Veterinary Medicine, respectively, are refining a method used to identify virus strains so researchers can quickly detect components in viruses that affect influenza virulence.

Applications at the nanoscale are literally boundless, though a great amount of expertise and infrastructure is required to tap this potential. Our scientists are working together, leveraging their expertise but also that from other, already-published research to move forward on potential solutions to pressing problems. Congratulations to Dluhy, Tompkins and Tripp on this important work.