Scott McPherson's Web Presence

It is safe to say I am very far behind on that promised blog regarding the construction of this swine H1N1 virus. But that's not a bad thing, because I have stumbled across a new Wiki dedicated to sharing information on the construction of this new virus. It is titled "Human/Swine A/H1N1 Influenza Origins and Evolution," and is located at: http://tree.bio.ed.ac.uk/groups/influenza/ . 

A note of caution: It is for professional influenza researchers, but is also great fun for influenza geeks who have at least a passing knowledge of the structure of influenza and how it picks up its polymorphisms. It is also important to have some sort of working knowledge of the structure of the flu virus itself. If you know what HA, NA and MP stand for, you re aready to proceed. Otherwise, you might want to hit Google and get smart on the influenza virus' composition before proceeding there.

Laypeople can see, at first glance, one big amazing point; namely, influenza picks up genetic markers like seasoned travelers used to put destination stickers on their luggage, or like Russian generals put ribbons on their chests. The diversity of genetic markers and their initial points of discovery (A/New York, A/Texas, A/Florida, etc.) point to the diversity of genes that make up the most facsinating virus on the planet.

I found this Wiki through an NPR article that I found by stumbling upon the Twittersite of Helen Branswell. I have been a huge fan (how cliche) of Ms. Branswell's work ever since I dove head-first into this topic some three years ago. She writes for the Canadian Press and I consider her one of the top two infectious disease reporters on the planet. Her Twitter address is @CP_Branswell and I encourage you to follow her Tweets. She'll make you smarter in no time!