Gain of Function: experimental applications relating to potentially pandemic pathogens

Influenza outbreaks cause significant burden to public health. The inability to predict which specific virus subtypes will trigger the next influenza pandemic emphasizes the need to address gaps in the knowledge required to manage future pandemics. Research, including the study of virus transmissibility, host range, resistance, immunogenicity, pathogenicity and virulence, is critical to fill many of these knowledge gaps.