Influenza infection remains constant threat to human health and results in huge financial loss every year. Rapid and accurate detection of influenza can help governments and health organizations monitor influenza activity and take measurements when necessary. In addition, influenza detection in a timingly manner can help doctors make diagnosis and provide effective treatment. On the other hand, 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 glycan microarray that is comprised of a panel of NA resistant sialosides, and demonstrate the application of microarray to capture influenza virus at ambient temperature without the addition of NA inhibitors. We also describe a novel electrochemical biosensor 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.