Experimental Approaches to Identify Host Factors Important for Influenza Virus

Abstract

An ever-expanding toolkit of experimental methods provides the means to discover and characterize host factors important for influenza virus. Here, we describe common methods for investigating genetic relationships and physical interactions between virus and host. A comprehensive knowledge of host:virus interactions is key to understanding how influenza virus exploits the host cell and to potentially identify vulnerabilities that may be manipulated to prevent or treat disease.