The scientists identified the three-dimensional structure of an influenza A virus protein that plays a central role in suppressing a person's natural defenses to infection and paves the way for the virus to spread. This so-called NS1 virus protein is shared by all influenza A viruses including avian influenza, or bird flu, as well as the 1918 pandemic influenza virus.

A full description of the breakthrough appears in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences Early Edition and will be published in an upcoming issue of the PNAS print edition.

"Our work uncovers an Achilles' heel of influenza A viruses that cause human epidemics and high mortality pandemics," said Rutgers Professor Gaetano T. Montelione in a news release. "We have identified the structure of a key target site for drugs that could be developed to effectively combat this disease."

The research at the two schools was supported by two institutes at the National Institutes of Health.