Ragon-affiliated researcher, Dr. Abraham Brass and his team find a gene that can transform mild influenza to a life threatening disease.

“A genetic discovery could help explain why flu makes some people seriously ill or kills them, while others seem able to bat it away with little more than a few aches, coughs and sneezes.

In a study published in the journal Nature on Sunday, British and American researchers said they had found for the first time a human gene that influences how people respond to flu infections, making some people more susceptible than others.”

Press Coverage:

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• Scientists find gene that can make flu a killer – Reuters
• Gene Plays Key Role in Severity of Flu – Medical News
• IFITM3 restricts the morbidity and mortality associated with influenza – Nature article (requries log-in)
• Genetics of flu susceptibility – Press release (via Sanger.uk)

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