Decoding influenza virus: From polymerase mechanisms to translational therapeutics

Influenza viruses are a major cause of respiratory illness, with significant public health impact due to their ability to cause pandemics. This dialogue brought together experts including Professors George Fu Gao, Stephen Cusack, Mark von Itzstein, Ervin Fodor, Jonathan Grimes, Aartjan J.W. te Velthuis, and Tao Deng to decode the pressing scientific challenges and future directions in influenza research. They discussed how structural studies of the influenza polymerase have advanced our understanding of viral RNA transcription and replication. These insights are crucial for developing new antiviral drugs, with a particular focus on targeting the polymerase and its interactions with host factors like acidic nuclear phosphoprotein 32 (ANP32). The dialogue also highlighted the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) to assist in designing small-molecule drugs, offering new strategies for combating influenza. Future research will continue to unravel the complexities of the polymerase’s role in replication, aiming to translate these findings into effective therapies and resilient public health strategies.