How the flu's neuraminidase protein changes over time
Biophysical constraints of influenza neuraminidase evolution
Researchers are mapping how changes in a key flu protein called neuraminidase affect the virus and future vaccine effectiveness for people who get seasonal influenza.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Champaign, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-10887554 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project uses large-scale laboratory experiments to test many possible changes in the flu virus neuraminidase (NA) protein and measure effects on stability, surface expression, and enzyme activity. The team will study combinations of mutations (epistasis) so they can see how one change can change the impact of another. They will work with viral samples, genetic sequencing, and biochemical assays to build detailed maps of how mutations alter viral fitness and immune recognition. The resulting data aim to improve understanding of how flu strains evolve over time and inform vaccine design.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People who have recently had seasonal influenza or who can provide nasal or throat swab samples for viral sequencing would be the most relevant contributors to this research.
Not a fit: If you need immediate medical treatment or want a clinical trial that offers direct therapeutic benefit, this lab-focused project is unlikely to help you directly.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could help improve flu strain forecasts and guide better vaccines, potentially reducing infections and severe cases.
How similar studies have performed: Other laboratory studies have mapped mutations in flu proteins and produced useful mutation maps, but reliably forecasting viral evolution for vaccine decisions remains difficult and this work addresses that gap.
Where this research is happening
Champaign, United States
- University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign — Champaign, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wu, Nicholas C. — University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
- Study coordinator: Wu, Nicholas C.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.