SINGAPORE scientists have come up with a three-dimensional computer model that can keep track of the mutations of the flu bug currently traversing the globe.
The model of a particular part of the H1N1 virus is available free on the Internet and is updated daily with the genetic information of new patient samples.
The developers of the model, five scientists from the Agency for Science, Technology and Research's (A*Star's) Bioinformatics Institute (BII), hope this will allow scientists, health authorities and drug developers to more easily track the mutations of the virus and to decide if a new treatment is needed.
Said lead scientist on the project, Dr Sebastian Maurer-Stroh: 'We can use the model to make drugs better. Scientists can very quickly monitor the changes in the virus and can see when it is time to make new drugs.'
In the past month, the global outbreak of Influenza A H1N1 has infected more than 10,000 people in about 40 countries, killing more than 80 people, sparking fears of an imminent pandemic.
