Friedrich lab contributes genetic analysis to H7N9 influenza research

WNPRC scientist Tom Friedrich and graduate student Louise Moncla provided deep genetic sequencing and analysis for studies of H7N9 avian influenza — a flu strain shown to be both lethal and transmissible, and capable of developing drug resistance, in a nonhuman-primate model. Their work supported the Kawaoka team’s research on this pandemic-potential virus.

“This is the first case of a highly pathogenic avian virus that transmits between ferrets and kills them,” says prominent UW-Madison influenza researcher Yoshihiro Kawaoka. “That’s not good for public health.”