Influenza infection remains a constant threat to human health and results in huge financial loss annually. Rapid and accurate detection of influenza can aid health officials to monitor influenza activity and take measurements when necessary. In addition, influenza detection in a timely manner can help doctors make diagnosis and provide effective treatment. Additionally, novel inhibitors of influenza virus are in high demand because circulating strains have started to develop resistance to currently available anti-viral drugs.

Influenza virus has two surface glycoproteins: hemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase (NA), which play important roles in the influenza infection. The binding of HA to sialic acid-containing carbohydrates on cell surface initiates virus internalization, while cleavage of terminal sialic acid by NA facilitates viral particle release. In this dissertation, we focus on the development of a glycan microarray that is comprised of a panel of NA resistant sialosides, and demonstrate the application of the microarray to capture influenza virus at ambient temperature without the addition of NA inhibitors. We also describe a novel electrochemical assay for the detection of influenza virus. In addition, we have developed a new class of bivalent NA inhibitors that show promising inhibitory activities against influenza viruses.