Gain of function influenza A virus research discussed
There is a need for detailed scientific critique of gain of function (GOF) influenza research. GOF research seeks to rapidly evolve and subsequently select strains of avian influenza A viruses in the laboratory so that they become readily transmissible between mammals by the airborne route.
The scientific literature is expanding with more and more papers discussing the merits, or lack of them, of this work. However as we all know, journals like to keep a tight ship and cut manuscript length to a minimum. An individual paper tends to concentrate on a single line of thought.
Over the next year this site will build up detailed arguments on the science subtending GOF influenza research and test the claims that this work will help us face the future with more equanimity.
It will start with the unfolding science, and will work backwards over time to cover the period from late 2011 and build the ensemble into a larger historical context, for this sort of work has been creeping up on us for more than a decade. The idea is to lay out the scientific arguments even if they are highly detailed and may loose the lay reader. For the moment there is no consensus among virologists meaning that the science needs to be discussed. It seeks to be as matter-of-fact as possible pointing out weaknesses and contradictions in the data.
We will include opinions and policy suggestions, as well as include comments from others. These will be clearly flagged as such.
The Foundation for Vaccine Research (FVR) has been following this research from the start. It was instrumental in organizing the first open meeting at the Royal Society back in April 2012. The FVR saw the claims that GOF influenza research could help in the development of anticipatory pandemic flu vaccines as extremely weak, claims that could possibly distract research and funding away from more robust programs.
Content on the site will be come from Simon Wain-Hobson who is Professor at the Institut Pasteur and Chair of the FVR Board.
simon.wain-hobson@pasteur.fr
The opinions expressed here do not reflect those of the Institut Pasteur or the FVR.
The site was set up by Sabine d’Andrea of the Institut Pasteur. Sabine & SWH worked together the 2008 conference “25 years of HIV” at the Institut Pasteur to mark the publication of the first paper on HIV, 25 years previously (1983). Sabine was the organizational force.
There is a need for detailed scientific critique of gain of function (GOF) influenza research. GOF research seeks to rapidly evolve and subsequently select strains of avian influenza A viruses in the laboratory so that they become readily transmissible between mammals by the airborne route.
The scientific literature is expanding with more and more papers discussing the merits, or lack of them, of this work. However as we all know, journals like to keep a tight ship and cut manuscript length to a minimum. An individual paper tends to concentrate on a single line of thought.
Over the next year this site will build up detailed arguments on the science subtending GOF influenza research and test the claims that this work will help us face the future with more equanimity.
It will start with the unfolding science, and will work backwards over time to cover the period from late 2011 and build the ensemble into a larger historical context, for this sort of work has been creeping up on us for more than a decade. The idea is to lay out the scientific arguments even if they are highly detailed and may loose the lay reader. For the moment there is no consensus among virologists meaning that the science needs to be discussed. It seeks to be as matter-of-fact as possible pointing out weaknesses and contradictions in the data.
We will include opinions and policy suggestions, as well as include comments from others. These will be clearly flagged as such.
The Foundation for Vaccine Research (FVR) has been following this research from the start. It was instrumental in organizing the first open meeting at the Royal Society back in April 2012. The FVR saw the claims that GOF influenza research could help in the development of anticipatory pandemic flu vaccines as extremely weak, claims that could possibly distract research and funding away from more robust programs.
Content on the site will be come from Simon Wain-Hobson who is Professor at the Institut Pasteur and Chair of the FVR Board.
simon.wain-hobson@pasteur.fr
The opinions expressed here do not reflect those of the Institut Pasteur or the FVR.
The site was set up by Sabine d’Andrea of the Institut Pasteur. Sabine & SWH worked together the 2008 conference “25 years of HIV” at the Institut Pasteur to mark the publication of the first paper on HIV, 25 years previously (1983). Sabine was the organizational force.
