News

  • UBC researchers studied the case of a B.C. teen critically ill from avian flu. They were surprised

    Vancouver Sun [October 02, 2026] In a study published this week in Nature Communications, UBC researchers analyzed two mutations from the B.C. case and found they actually weakened the virus’s ability to bind to human cells.

  • Mutations From Canada’s First Human H5N1 Case Weakened the Virus’s Grip on Cells, UBC Study Finds

    Nature World News [September 30, 2026] Two genetic mutations that alarmed scientists after a British Columbia teenager became critically ill with H5N1 bird flu in November 2024 appear to have weakened the virus’s ability to attach to human cells, not strengthened it. Researchers at the University of British Columbia reported the finding on September 28…

  • Study challenges original theory about Canada’s first human case of bird flu

    The Globe and Mail [September 28, 2026] University of British Columbia researchers say the unusual genetic mutations identified in Canada’s first human avian influenza case weakened the virus’ ability to bind to human cells, a critical first step in infection.

  • How does a bird virus infect a person? Surprising findings from B.C.’s human case of H5N1 avian flu

    The Conversation Canada; Republished by: Yahoo News, Physio.org, Canada Health Watch [September 28, 2026] Uncovering insights into how pathogens can switch from animals to humans — as in this human case of bird flu — can help researchers and public health agencies prepare for future outbreaks. In a recent study, our lab examined viral mutations…

  • Canada’s first human bird flu case offers new clues for monitoring pandemic threats

    UBC News and The University of British Columbia Faculty of Medicine News [September 28, 2026] “We pay very close attention to mutations in this part of the virus because changes here can potentially help H5N1 adapt to humans,” said senior author Dr. Sriram Subramaniam, professor of biochemistry and molecular biology at the UBC faculty of…

  • 2026 International VCP Scientific Summit

    Cure VCP Disease [July 25, 2026] Dr. Sriram Subramaniam attended the 2026 International VCP Scientific & Community Summit in Atlanta, joining researchers, clinicians, patients, and industry partners to discuss the latest advances in VCP-associated multisystem proteinopathy (VCP disease). The summit highlighted emerging therapeutic strategies, translational research, and collaborative efforts to accelerate the development of treatments…

  • To pandemic preparedness and beyond: Accelerating novel antibody therapeutics through cross-border collaboration

    Innovation UBC [October 14, 2025] Through this new collaboration, Alloy will share its expertise and drug discovery technologies to support UBC’s efforts to develop antibody therapies for infectious disease targets. Working directly with UBC’s Pathogen Response Optimization by GENeratIng ThErapeutics Rationally (PROGENITER) program led by Dr. Sriram Subramaniam, Professor and Gobind Khorana Canada Excellence Research…

  • Delivering AI’s promise of better health care

    The University of British Columbia Faculty of Medicine News [June 12, 2025] Jump-started by a $22.5 million gift, UBC’s new AI and Health Network is deploying powerful artificial intelligence tools to drive health system innovation and improve patient care. One project, led by UBC professor Dr. Sriram Subramaniam, is combining AI with advanced cryo-electron microscopy…

  • $140M for UBC-led research hub to accelerate drug development and biomanufacturing

    The University of British Columbia Faculty of Medicine News [June 4, 2024] The funding supports four multidisciplinary research projects through Canada’s Immuno-Engineering and Biomanufacturing Hub (CIEBH), a UBC-led alliance of more than 50 academic, industry, not-for-profit and health system partners that have come together to make Canada a leader in advanced immune-based therapeutics like RNA vaccines, antibody…

  • Federal government invests in pandemic rapid response lab at UBC

    Business in Vancouver [May 31, 2024] The federal government today announced $140 million in funding for Canada’s Immuno-Engineering and Biomanufacturing Hub (CIEBH) out of the University of BC. It will support four multi-disciplinary research projects.