The influenza chronicles: From the 1918 pandemic to current understanding of host defense mechanisms.

In this special edition of the Biomedical Journal, we learn about the battle between host and influenza virus at the respiratory epithelium, and how the history of influenza pandemics has driven both major advances in the understanding of immunology and planning for future outbreaks. We also learn of a nanoparticle system that holds promise for photodynamic therapy in breast cancer. Finally, we add evidence to the debate of the safety of a minimally invasive technique for aortic valve replacement in elderly patients.