BOX 3-1General Virology Questions and Questions Specific to Influenza, SARS, and MERS Research

  • Why/how does the virus infect and kill mammals?
    • What are the critical host range and virulence determinants of MERS-CoV?
    • Why are some influenza strains more virulent than others?
  • Do antiviral drugs work, and how does the virus become resistant?
    • Can we identify antiviral drugs that are safe and effective for MERS-/SARS-CoV?
    • What drives the evolution of influenza antigenic change and antiviral resistance?
  • Do current or novel vaccines or monoclonal antibodies provide protection, and can the virus escape?
    • Can we develop a SARS-/MERS-CoV candidate vaccine that is safe, immunogenic, and efficacious?
    • Can monoclonal antibodies be used safely for prevention and treatment?
    • Are there some influenza viral targets that will not allow escape from the immune system?
  • How does the virus spread within animals or between animals?
    • Why do some influenza strains spread efficiently while others do not?
  • Could the virus cause a pandemic?
  • What is the likelihood of (re)emergence?
    • Will SARS or a SARS-like CoV re-emerge from bats or other animal hosts?

SOURCE: Subbarao's list of general and influenza/SARS/MERS specific questions in virology, symposium presentation, 2014.

From: 3, Gain-of-Function Research: Background and Alternatives

Cover of Potential Risks and Benefits of Gain-of-Function Research
Potential Risks and Benefits of Gain-of-Function Research: Summary of a Workshop.
Board on Life Sciences; Division on Earth and Life Studies; Committee on Science, Technology, and Law; Policy and Global Affairs; Board on Health Sciences Policy; National Research Council; Institute of Medicine.
Washington (DC): National Academies Press (US); 2015 Apr 13.
Copyright 2015 by the National Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved.

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