Here's Why It's So Hard To Make A Better Flu Vaccine - Maggie Fox

Every year, flu kills between 12,000 and 56,000 people, the CDC says. This year is shaping up to be on the high end of that range. That's why teams of scientists are working on what's called a universal flu vaccine. The hope is to develop a formulation that will recognize something a little deeper than just the "face" of the flu virus - something that doesn't change from one virus to another and that doesn't mutate over time. Peter Palese, PhD, professor and chair of microbiology and professor of medicine and infectious diseases at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, has a team working on a vaccine that goes after on unchanging target. One of influenza's most prominent surface protein is hemagglutinin - the "H" in a flu virus's name. It's a mushroom-shaped structure and while the "cap" of the flu mushroom is both easily seen and also changeable, the stem is less visible and also mutates less. Dr. Palese's lab is focusing on ways to stimulate the immune system to recognize the stem or stalk of the hemagglutinin protein - the equivalent of tweaking facial recognition technology so look for the overall shape of someone's face, or the distance between the eyes.

• Peter Palese, PhD, Professor, Chair, Microbiology, Professor, Medicine, Infectious Diseases, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
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