Though the gene is exerted by the influenza virus, it is said to be quite effective in controlling the reaction of infection on the body. The study was being carried out by the Universities of Cambridge and also involved other institutes like the Institute of Systems Biology in Seattle and National Institutes of Health in USA.

The study researchers were of the view that they assessed the virus gene known as PA-X, and conducted an experiment on mice, which was down with flu. It was found that when the gene was not active then the flu got worse. However, with the activation of the gene, the infection was found to be controlled.

Professor Paul Digard, from the Roslin Institute, was of the view, “Just finding this gene in the first place is important, but the find is even more significant because of the role it seems to play in the body”.

Another researcher Dr. Andrew Firth, of the University of Cambridge, was of the view that when one looks at flu through the lens, then it is nothing but a small genome. But its reaction on the body is quite strong. The study will soon get published in the Journal of Leukocyte Biology.