Avian influenza is a highly mutable RNA virus that is readily passed between bird species, and from birds to humans. It is possibly the greatest airborne pandemic threat to the human population. An inexpensive vaccine that is easy to produce, store, and administer is necessary for the prevention of this disease. We purified a novel protein construct (U65-mHAt) which includes the mature transcript of Influenza A subtype H5N1 virus and loaded it into particles made of beta-glucan, a known adjuvant that has been shown to improve immune system response to the influenza vaccine. This system is cost effective, can be rapidly amplified, and is easily administered making it a viable option for preventing a worldwide H5N1 pandemic.

• This report represents the work of one or more WPI undergraduate students submitted to the faculty as evidence of completion of a degree requirement. WPI routinely publishes these reports on its website without editorial or peer review.

Creator

• Vessella, Steven Richard
• Webber, Benjamin Clark
• Brown, William Ernest

Contributors

• Tipper, Donald

Publisher

• Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Identifier

• E-project-050409-144814

Advisor

• Adams, David S.

Year

• 2009

Sponsor

• University of Massachusetts Medical School

Date created

• 2009-05-04

Resource type

• Major Qualifying Project

Major

• Biochemistry
• Biology & Biotechnology

Rights statement

• In Copyright