Modeling an Avian-Human Hybrid Flu Virus

influenza A viruses, how they replicate in a cell, and how their RNA can
reassort when a person is infected simultaneously with an avian and a human virus. Using the student
sheet, students make avian and human influenza A virus models, infect a model lung cell, and make a
hybrid virus that has some avian and some human RNA segments. They see that some hybrids have surface
proteins from both the avian and human influenza A viruses. Unfortunately, the human immune system does
not quickly recognize and respond to this combination of surface proteins, making it particularly dangerous.
Background Information
While there are three main types of influenza viruses (Types A, B, and C), this activity focuses on influenza A
and its strains. Influenza A in humans is mainly a respiratory virus that typically infects cells of the nose and
throat, but it can infect lung cells. It spreads when an uninfected person touches contaminated surfaces or
inhales viruses coughed or sneezed out by an infected person.
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