I'm trying to finish my powerpoint presentation for genetics on avian flu virus, and I'm having a hard time with it. Basically, it's done, but I feel like I haven't put enough genetic information in the presentation, and I can't really find any more info. So, if someone out there would be so kind as to read my review of my powerpoint and let me know what they think I would really appreciate it.

I'm going to start the presentation by talking about the fact that there are three different types of influenza: A, B, and C. Specifically, Avian Flu virus is type A and can be segregated into various subtypes. These subtypes are based on the main surface proteins on the viroid that aid in infection: hemagluttinin (H) and neirminidase (N) (I totally spelled those wrong but whatever)

The genome of Avian Flu Virus is a collection of 8 negative sense RNA segments, which I will explain later. Specificaly, H is located on gene segment 4 and codes for the glycoprotein that allows binding and entry of the virus into the host cell. Meanwhile, N is located on segment 6 (i believe) and codes for the glycoprotein that facilitates in the exit of newly made viruses from the host cell.

As I already stated, there are various subtypes of Avian Flu named according to the surfact proteins. Also, there are low and high pathogenic viruses. Low pathogenic viruses can be hard to detect and result in mild symptoms. In contrast, high pathogenic viruses have been known to cause death in infected birds within 48 hours in about 100 percent of cases. H5N1 is a high pathogenic strain that is of most concern to humans.

When Avian Flu Virus infects a cell, hemagglutinin binds to the host cell surface, and enters the cell via endocytosis. The viral shell fuses with the host cell membrane and enters the cytoplasm. Then, RNA polymerase replicates the viral RNA to produce a positive RNA strand (as opposed to the negative) this new positive mRNA can then exit the nucleus to undergo transcription. Meanwhile, more negative RNA is made and exits the cell. Once transcription is completed, the viral proteins fuse with the viral RNA and exit the cell thanks to neuraminidase (sp!).

Right now, there has been no documented case of human to human transmission. The reason for this is that Avian Flu Virus only binds to glucose/sialic acid receptors found in the bottom of the lungs, called an alpha 2,3 linkage. In contrast, human influenza binds to alpha 2,6 receptors found in the upper respiratory tract. Since it cant bind high up in the lungs, it cant be coughed out by humans like a normal human flu virus.

There are two types of genetic mutations. Antigenic Shift and Antigenic Drift. Antigenic drift occurs constantly and results in poine mutations on the genes that produce H and N surface proteins. It is slight changes like these that cause a new flu season every year. Antibodies can no longer recognize these small changes.

Antigenic Shift, however, results in an abrupt change of the genome that causes a whole new subtype. It is quite rare and can be caused by either genetic reassorment via direct transmission or through an intermediate host.

So, if human influenza and avian flu influenza were to infect the same cell at one time, they could potentially reassort. If this reassortment resulted in a change of avian flus surface proteins, and enabled the virus to infect the upper respiratory tract, then a global pandemic might occur.

That's basically it. I might add in some info on how many ppl have been killed and the work being done with vaccines but yeah, that's all I have. It might be futile putting this on here... but oh well, we'll see.