THIRD PLACE - SESSION B (Cell and Molecular Biology, Medical Sciences, Microbiology, Physics and Astronomy)

Predictions on the Likelihood of H5N1 Influenza Mutation to Facilitate Human to Human Transmission.           

   Kelienne M. Verdier, Pellissippi State Technical Community College

H5N1 avian influenza has emerged as a global concern, successfully transmitting among fowl and, more recently, from fowl to humans.   However, H5N1 has not yet developed the ability to transmit readily from human to human.   The hemagglutinin protein, which varies among influenza strains, is essential in host cell binding and infectivity.   To date, only H1, H2 and H3 influenza strains readily transmit from human to human.   A literature search was conducted to determine which amino acids are essential for binding to avian vs. human sialic acid receptors.   Thirty hemagglutinin protein sequences from H2, H3 and H5 influenza strains, infecting either avian or human hosts, were obtained from NCBI and compared.    Based on sequence comparisons at key sites, and the error prone viral replication system, predictions concerning the likelihood of human to human transmission of avian H5N1 influenza were made.