Scripps Research Investigation: Mutation in H5N1 Hemagglutinin Enhancing Human Receptor Binding

Ian Wilson, PhD, Hansen Professor of Structural Biology, James Paulson, PhD, Cecil H. and Ida M. Green Chair of Chemistry and Ting-Hui Lin, postdoctoral associate all with Scripps Research and collaborators find that a single mutation in the hemagglutinin protein of the H5N1 bird flu virus can significantly increase its ability to bind to human-type receptors, potentially increasing the risk of human-to-human transmission. Understanding this mutation could inform public health surveillance and preparation for pandemic threats.

Study Design and Methods: