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The center conducts fundamental research on influenza and influenza viruses, surveillance and development of laboratory diagnostic methods for influenza virus infection. The center is also engaged in the development of vaccine viruses, development of cell-based seasonal influenza vaccine, production and supply of standard and reference materials required for quality control of influenza vaccines, and the lot release test as a National Control Laboratory. The center has been designated as a Collaborating Center for Reference and Research on Influenza, an H5 Reference Laboratory, and an Essential Regulatory Laboratory by the World Health Organization (WHO).

LABORATORY OF INFLUENZA VIRUS SURVEILLANCE
The laboratory conducts surveillance of seasonal influenza viruses and of antiviral resistance influenza viruses isolated in Japan and neighboring countries as a National Influenza Center and as a WHO Collaborating Center. Research related to characterizations of influenza viruses are also conducted.
LABORATORY OF MOLECULAR DIAGNOSIS AND INTERNATIONAL TRAINING
The laboratory conducts research and development of diagnostic methods for influenza, monitoring of zoonotic influenza viruses, research on biological, molecular, genetic and biochemical characterizations of the influenza viruses. Reference services related to diagnostic methods for influenza, and national and international training for influenza diagnostic technologies are also conducted.
LABORATORY OF QUALITY CONTROL OF INFLUENZA VACCINES
The laboratory conducts lot release tests for influenza vaccines, production of standard references required for quality control and lot release tests of influenza vaccines, and research required for these activities including relevant reference activities and training.
LABORATORY OF VACCINE STRAINS DEVELOPMENT
The laboratory conducts development of pandemic and seasonal influenza viruses for vaccine production using embryonated chicken eggs, its antigenicity and safety evaluation, development and evaluation of prepandemic vaccine strains using viruses with pandemic potential, and preparation and property analysis of vaccine strains for seasonal vaccine production.
LABORATORY OF CELL-BASED VACCINE DEVELOPMENT
The laboratory conducts application research for practical uses of cell-based influenza vaccines, development and evaluation of virus strains for cell-based vaccine production, and study on evaluation of antigenicity and immunogenicity of cell-based vaccines.
LABORATORY OF MUCOSAL VACCINE DEVELOPMENT
The laboratory conducts development of mucosal influenza vaccines and its application for the practical uses. Research on the safety, efficacy and quality controls of the vaccines based on the animal model is also conducted.
Copyright 1998 National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Japan