How the 2007 Options for the Control of Influenza VI Conference shaped our fight against influenza through groundbreaking research and global collaboration
Imagine a global threat that emerges not from conflict zones or criminal enterprises, but from microscopic particles capable of bringing societies to a standstill.
This isn't the plot of a science fiction novel—it's the reality of influenza, a virus that causes seasonal epidemics and occasional pandemics with potential to overwhelm healthcare systems worldwide 9 . While many experience flu as a week of misery, its true impact extends far beyond individual symptoms to economic disruption, hospitalizations, and tragically, hundreds of thousands of deaths annually 9 .
The conference brought together 1,600 delegates from over 66 countries, making it the largest influenza-specific gathering at that time 1 .
The record attendance reflected growing global concern about influenza, particularly due to the continuing circulation of highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses 1 .
This conference wasn't merely an academic exercise—it was a war council in the battle against a shape-shifting enemy, where breakthroughs in understanding the virus's behavior could translate into saved lives. As we'll explore, the insights gathered at Options VI continue to influence how we prevent, track, and treat influenza today.
The Options VI Conference was structured around a simple but powerful premise: defeating influenza requires breaking down silos between different scientific disciplines. Basic researchers working with test tubes needed to understand the real-world challenges faced by public health officials, while clinicians treating patients needed exposure to cutting-edge laboratory discoveries 1 .
These sessions were specifically crafted to "translate" complex research into practical applications, bridging the gap between laboratory discoveries and clinical practice 1 .
These sessions showcased recent advances in specific fields of influenza research, including international pandemic preparedness challenges and virus-host interactions 1 .
The core information was delivered through over 600 abstracts submitted to 14 workshop categories, allowing experts to dive deep into specific areas 1 .
| Public Health Track | Basic/Applied Science Track |
|---|---|
| Disease surveillance | Virus structure and function |
| Diagnostics and serological techniques | Viral replication and assembly |
| Clinical vaccine evaluation | Animal influenza ecology |
| Antivirals and resistance | Genetic and antigenic evolution |
| Clinical guidance and policies | Innate and adaptive immunity |
| Mathematical modeling | Virus-host interactions and pathogenesis |
| Outbreak and pandemic response | Preclinical vaccine development |
Several groundbreaking areas of research emerged as highlights at the conference, including the prevalence of antiviral drug-resistant viruses in different countries, evaluation of new vaccine methodologies with novel adjuvants (particularly for pandemic vaccines), and significant expansion of global surveillance and pandemic preparedness efforts 1 .
Among the many research findings presented at Options VI, one stood out for its potential to explain why some influenza strains cause much more severe disease than others: the role of the PB1-F2 protein in influenza virus pathogenesis 1 . This discovery, first identified by Jonathan Yewdell and colleagues in 2001, was becoming better understood by 2007, and research presented at the conference shed new light on its function.
Researchers compared genetic sequences of various influenza strains, focusing on differences between highly pathogenic strains and milder variants.
Using techniques like X-ray crystallography and NMR spectroscopy, scientists determined the three-dimensional structure of the PB1-F2 protein.
Researchers infected human lung cells with genetically modified influenza viruses to observe differences in viral behavior.
Using mouse models, scientists compared infection with normal influenza viruses against those lacking the PB1-F2 protein.
Throughout experiments, researchers tracked how the immune system responded to infections with and without the PB1-F2 protein.
The research revealed that PB1-F2 is a small accessory protein located in the mitochondria of infected cells 1 . Its primary functions appear to be:
The scientific importance of these findings cannot be overstated. Understanding PB1-F2 provided a molecular explanation for why certain influenza strains—like the 1918 pandemic strain and H5N1 avian flu—cause such devastating disease.
The scope of research presented at Options VI was reflected in the diverse data sets shared by presenters. The conference brought together surveillance information from dozens of countries, clinical trial results for new vaccines and antivirals, and fundamental laboratory discoveries about how influenza viruses operate.
Largest influenza-specific conference to date
Truly global representation
Vast scope of new research presented
| Vaccine Strategy | Stage of Development |
|---|---|
| Novel Adjuvants | Advanced clinical trials |
| Cell-Based Vaccines | Some already licensed |
| Universal Vaccines | Preclinical to early clinical |
| mRNA Platforms | Early research phase |
The data presented at the conference revealed both progress and persistent challenges. For instance, while vaccination rates were improving in many developed countries, significant gaps remained in developing nations and among healthcare workers globally. Similarly, the emergence of antiviral resistance highlighted the need for continuous development of new treatment options.
Advancing our understanding of influenza requires sophisticated tools and reagents. At Options VI, researchers shared breakthroughs in both traditional laboratory methods and innovative new technologies that were accelerating the pace of discovery.
| Research Tool | Function/Application | Importance in Influenza Research |
|---|---|---|
| Hemagglutination Inhibition Assay | Measures antibody response to influenza | Gold standard for determining vaccine effectiveness |
| Reverse Genetics Systems | Allows genetic manipulation of influenza viruses | Enables creation of specific mutants to study gene function |
| Monoclonal Antibodies | Target specific viral proteins | Used for diagnostics, research, and therapeutic development |
| Ferret Models | Study influenza transmission and pathogenesis | Considered best animal model for human influenza |
| Neuraminidase Inhibition Assay | Measures antibody response to neuraminidase | Critical for assessing immunity to this important viral protein |
| ELISA Kits | Detect influenza antigens or antibodies | Enable rapid diagnosis and serological studies |
| Polymerase Activity Assays | Measure function of influenza replication machinery | Key for understanding viral fitness and drug effects |
These tools were essential for creating influenza viruses with specific modifications in proteins like PB1-F2 to study their function. By enabling precise genetic manipulation, researchers could establish causal relationships between viral genes and observed phenotypes.
Ferrets provided critical evidence about how changes in receptor binding affected transmissibility between mammals—a key concern for assessing the pandemic potential of avian influenza strains. Their respiratory physiology closely mirrors that of humans, making them invaluable for transmission studies.
The conference also highlighted emerging technologies that would transform influenza research in coming years, including advanced genomic sequencing techniques that allowed rapid characterization of circulating strains and the identification of mutations that might enable immune evasion.
The Options for the Control of Influenza VI Conference represented a watershed moment in global influenza science. By bringing together diverse experts from virology, public health, clinical medicine, and fundamental research, the conference accelerated progress on multiple fronts against a persistent viral threat.
The discussions in Toronto extended far beyond academic interest—they directly informed pandemic preparedness plans, vaccine development strategies, and clinical treatment guidelines that would protect populations in the years to follow.
The legacy of Options VI continues through the ongoing work of the International Society for Influenza and Other Respiratory Virus Diseases (ISIRV), which now serves as the official home of the Options Conference series 1 7 .
The knowledge shared and collaborations forged at the 2007 meeting contributed to our improved ability to respond not only to seasonal influenza but also to future pandemic threats.
As we continue to face challenges from influenza—including the recent spread of H5N1 in dairy cows and the perpetual evolution of seasonal strains—the multidisciplinary approach championed at Options VI remains more relevant than ever 5 .
The conference demonstrated that controlling influenza requires constant vigilance, international cooperation, and the seamless integration of basic discovery science with practical public health implementation.
While influenza may never be completely eradicated, the scientific advances showcased at Options VI and subsequent meetings have undoubtedly moved us closer to a world where its impact is measured not in lives lost, but in seasonal inconveniences—a goal worth pursuing with every tool at our disposal.