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Scientists trying to develop a vaccine that offers good protection in different strains of influenza virus, which could protect against a major outbreak of avian influenza (H5N1), which should never occur. There were around 400 human cases of avian influenza since 1997, with a 60% mortality in people with a healthy immune system. An outbreak of influenza could kill thousands all over the world. In this laboratory study, researchers have used techniques of biochemistry and genetics to select antibodies that can neutralize the H5N1 virus infection in mice and the two cultures of cells outside of living organisms. Influenza type A is the most common viruses infecting humans, and in order to bind to host cells, which makes use of two surface proteins: haemagluttinin and neuraminidase. The virus is further subdivided into varieties of these two types of proteins, which has on its surface.