Gut microbiome: Meet Roseburia intestinalis—the energy-producing bacterium that helps us fight against disease
The hundreds of species of microorganisms that comprise the microbiome all have different, unique roles.
Immunology news
Mutations do not predict the severity of current variants of SARS-CoV-2, finds study
New research from UNC Charlotte’s Center for Computational Intelligence to Predict Health and Environmental Risks (CIPHER) has found that the two most prevalent strains of the virus that cause COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2 variants BA.2.86 and JN.1, are not sig…
Simple blood test could predict risk of long-term COVID-19 lung problems
UVA Health researchers have discovered a potential way to predict which patients with severe COVID-19 are likely to recover well and which are likely to suffer “long-haul” lung problems. That finding could help doctors better personalize treatments for…
Researchers discover key metabolic process responsible for rapid immune responses
Researchers from Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) identified a key metabolite in cells that helps direct immune responses and explains at a single cell level why immune cells that most efficiently recognize pathogens, vaccines, or diseased ce…
Researchers discover a signaling molecule in neuroblastoma immunosuppression and aggressiveness
The MYCN oncoprotein (proteins related to the growth of cancer cells) plays a key role in starting, advancing and making it difficult to treat various human cancers. When MYCN is overactive, especially in high-risk neuroblastoma (childhood cancer often…
Study uncovers novel mechanisms behind food allergies
A recent Northwestern Medicine study has shed light on the mechanisms of a specific protein that is necessary for the production of IgA antibodies in the gut in response to food allergens, according to findings published in the journal Mucosal Immunology.
Exploring why some newborns develop severe infections
Compared to adults, newborns are highly susceptible to infections and these infections can cause serious health complications and even death.
Researchers gain insight into why T cells lose energy in solid tumors
T cells are often called “assassins” or “killers” because they can orchestrate and carry out missions to hunt down bacteria, viruses, and cancer cells throughout the body. Mighty as they may be, recent research has shown that once T cells infiltrate th…
Machine learning classifier accelerates the development of cellular immunotherapies
Making a personalized T cell therapy for cancer patients currently takes at least six months; scientists at the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and the University Medical Center Mannheim have shown that the laborious first step of identifying tumo…
New technique opens up study of immune response to cancer based on DNA locked in old archive cancer samples
Scientists have developed an improved technique for reading the genetic material associated with the body’s immune response to cancer, making it possible to study tissue samples that have been stored in archives for decades.