MRC involvement in influenza research
In 2007/08 the MRC spent £7.1 million on influenza research. In addition we fund a portfolio of underpinning virology research.
The Medical Research Council’s National Institute for Medical Research (NIMR) houses the World Influenza Centre, one of the World Health Organization (WHO) Collaborating Centres for Research and Reference into Influenza. Scientists at NIMR are working to better understand the influenza A (H1N1) virus, including its structure and evolution, which will feed into the development of a potential vaccine. Scientists are working closely with colleagues at the Health Protection Agency (HPA) to coordinate this work.
For more information on influenza A (H1N1) read our Q&A
Scientists at NIMR are receiving samples of the virus for analysis. As influenza viruses can mutate rapidly it is important to monitor the structure and characteristics of the virus in order to assess how it is changing over time and from one patient to another. This analysis would continue in the event of the pandemic level being raised by the WHO to phase six. More information on WHO pandemic preparedness guidelines is available at: www.who.int
The WHO Collaborating Centre for Research and Reference into Influenza at NIMR has been part of the WHO Global Influenza Surveillance Network since it was established 50 years ago. With the other four Collaborating Centres in Atlanta, Memphis, Melbourne and Tokyo, the team is responsible for monitoring changes in the influenza type A and B viruses which cause recurrent annual epidemics as well as identifying other influenza A sub-types, such as H1N1 or H5N1. The centre also monitors antiviral resistance among the 2000 influenza virus isolates and clinical specimens received each year from over 40 countries worldwide.
MRC researchers initially identified the influenza virus in 1933 and, for many years, investigated how it invades healthy cells. After establishing one of the World Influenza Centres, the MRC continues to work on models of a potential virus spread – to prepare for a real-life pandemic. More information is available at: MRC's Achievement & Impact
The MRC funds the FluWatch research project – a collaboration between the University College London (UCL) Centre for Infectious Disease Epidemiology, the MRC Human Immunology Unit, the MRC General Practice Research Framework and the Health Protection Agency. The project, led by Dr Andrew Hayward at UCL, started in 2006 and examines flu transmission within households in England. In the event of a pandemic, volunteers in this study will be able to help map the potential spread of the illness before researchers have time to recruit similar cohorts.
The MRC is represented on the Scientific Pandemic Influenza Advisory Committee chaired by Professor Sir Gordon Duff, which advises the UK Government on scientific matters relating to the health response to an influenza pandemic.
In 2007, the MRC founded the MRC Centre for Outbreak Analysis and Modelling at Imperial College, London, led by Professor Neil Ferguson. The centre is an international resource and centre of excellence for research on the epidemiological analysis and modelling of novel infectious disease outbreaks.
For the latest updates on influenza A (H1N1) from NIMR please see News
Last updated: 11 May 2009
