 |
|
Immunologists find better way to boost the immune system
January 23, 2008Immunologists have discovered how to manipulate the immune system to increase its power and protect the body from successive viral infections.
Published in the current edition of Viral Immunology, these findings may point the way toward developing new and more effective vaccines against diseases like influenza or HIV and enhance new developments in immunology.
The study suggests that scientists can boost the body's resistance and fend off successive viral infections by taking components of the virus and indirectly activating specific populations of killer T cells - the body's virus-killing cells. The virus components are introduced through a process known as "cross priming" whereby virus molecules are engulfed by immune cells to activate killer T cells.
"With this mechanism in mind, we can develop better tools to make more successful and effective vaccines," says Sam Basta, Queen's professor of Microbiology and Immunology, and the principal investigator of the study. The other members of the research team are master's students Attiya Alatery and Erin Dunbar.
The researchers hope to build on their findings by next studying which immune cells do a better job of protecting the body while using this mechanism.
"The answer to this question is like having the Holy Grail of immunotherapy and vaccine design within our grasp," says Dr. Basta.
Dr. Basta suggests that by fully understanding this new mechanism, researchers should be able to shuttle the appropriate viral components to the right immune cells.
The study was funded by Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada and the Franklin Bracken Fellowship program.
Queen's University
"With this mechanism in mind, we can develop better tools to make more successful and effective vaccines," says Sam Basta, Queen's professor of Microbiology and Immunology, and the principal investigator of the study. The other members of the research team are master's students Attiya Alatery and Erin Dunbar.
The researchers hope to build on their findings by next studying which immune cells do a better job of protecting the body while using this mechanism.
"The answer to this question is like having the Holy Grail of immunotherapy and vaccine design within our grasp," says Dr. Basta.
Dr. Basta suggests that by fully understanding this new mechanism, researchers should be able to shuttle the appropriate viral components to the right immune cells.
The study was funded by Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada and the Franklin Bracken Fellowship program.
Queen's University
Science News and Science Current Events Tag Cloud
This tag cloud is a visual representation of term frequencies of random science news topics with common terms grouped together and emphasized by their display size.
Mental Health Stroke Patients Synapses Inflammatory Bowel Disease Shopping Brain Tumor Radiation Treatment Glaciers Comet Dust Tumor Suppressor Polyphenols Cancer Drugs Overweight Children Tumor Growth Dialysis Television Sinusitis Elephants Mammograms Drought Wireless sensor Caesarean Pesticide Exposure Bullying Post-traumatic Stress
See More: Science News Tags
Immunology Current Events and Immunology News RSSBreakthrough in combating the side effects of Quinine
Discovered back in the 1600s quinine was the first effective treatment in the fight against malaria - and it continues to be a commonly used treatment against this devastating disease.
Scripps research scientists find key culprits in lupus
The more than 1.5 million Americans with systemic lupus erythematosus (or lupus) suffer from a variety of symptoms that flare and subside, often including painful or swollen joints, extreme fatigue, skin rashes, fever, and kidney problems.
Gladstone scientists identify key factor that controls HIV latency
Scientists at the Gladstone Institutes of Virology and Immunology (GIVI) have found another clue that may lead to eradication of HIV from infected patients who have been on antiretroviral therapy.
Study Characterizes Eczema Patients Most at Risk for Dangerous Viral Infections
Eczema patients at risk for serious viral infections have more severe disease, are more likely to be allergic to food and other allergens, and have a frequent history of staph infections.
Scientists block Ebola infection in cell-culture experiments
Researchers at the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston have discovered two biochemical pathways that the Ebola virus relies on to infect cells.
A new weapon in the war against HIV-AIDS: Combined antiviral and targeted chemotherapy
A discovery by a team of Canadian and American researchers could provide new ways to fight HIV-AIDS. According to a new study published in Nature Medicine, HIV-AIDS could be treated through a combination of targeted chemotherapy and current Highly Active Retroviral (HAART) treatments.
Antibiotics take toll on beneficial microbes in gut
It's common knowledge that a protective navy of bacteria normally floats in our intestinal tracts. Antibiotics at least temporarily disturb the normal balance.
Structures from the human immune system's oldest branch shed light on a range of diseases
How molecules of the oldest branch of the human immune system have interconnected has remained a mystery.
Research uncovers clues to virus-cancer link
In a series of recently-published articles, a research team from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center has uncovered clues to the development of cancers in AIDS patients.
Rare disorder gives modelers first glimpse at immune system development
Children born without thymus glands have given Duke University Medical Center researchers a rare opportunity to watch as a new immune system develops its population of infection-fighting T-cells.
More Immunology Current Events and Immunology News Articles
 |
Kuby Immunology (Kindt, Kuby Immunology) by Thomas J. Kindt (Author), Barbara A. Osborne (Author), Richard A. Goldsby (Author) The only textbook written for undergraduates by teachers of the course, this bestseller presents the most current concepts in an experimental context, conveying the excitement of scientific discovery, and highlighting important advances while providing unsurpassed pedagogical support for the first-time learner. The new edition is thoroughly updated, including most notably the new chapter on innate immunity. |
 |
Lippincott's Illustrated Reviews: Immunology (Lippincott's Illustrated Reviews Series) by Thao Doan (Author), Roger Melvold (Author), Susan Viselli (Author), Carl Waltenbaugh (Author) Lippincott's Illustrated Reviews: Immunology is a brand-new addition to the internationally best-selling Lippincott's Illustrated Reviews Series. This volume offers a highly visual presentation of essential immunology material, with all the popular features of the series: over 300 full-color annotated illustrations, an outline format, chapter summaries, review questions, and case studies that link basic science to real-life clinical situations. Lippincott's Illustrated Reviews: Immunology can be used as a review text for a short immunology course, or paired with Lippincott's Illustrated Reviews: Microbiology for a combined microbiology/immunology course. |
 |
Basic Immunology: Functions and Disorders of the Immune System With STUDENT CONSULT Online Access by Abul K. Abbas MBBS (Author), Andrew H. Lichtman MD PhD (Author) Here's a readable and concise introduction to the workings of the human immune system, with emphasis on clinical relevance. The format makes learning easy with short, easy-to-read chapters, color tables, key point summaries, and review questions in every chapter. Relates basic science to clinical disorders through clinical cases for better application in a real-world setting. Includes a full Glossary to keep you on the cutting edge of immunologic terminology. Includes appendices summarizing the features of CD Molecules, a handy Glossary, and Clinical Cases that test your understanding of how the immune system functions in health and disease. Illustrated with beautiful full-color artwork for enhanced visual learning. Provides the most up-to-date immunology... |
 |
Roitt's Essential Immunology (Essentials) by Peter Delves (Author), Seamus Martin (Author), Dennis Burton (Author), Ivan Roitt (Author) Roitt's Essential Immunology has established itself as the book of choice for students of immunology worldwide. This excellent textbook is commonly regarded as 'the best of the immunology primers' and the eleventh edition remains at the cutting edge of this fascinating area of science. The trademark of this book is its highly readable introduction to the subject, its emphasis on core knowledge and its excellent four-color artwork. The internationally renowned authors have extensively updated all aspects of the book to produce a new edition, which will be an invaluable resource to students of immunology and medicine. Roitt's Essential Immunology is supported by a website at www.roitt.com This useful on-line resource includes interactive multiple-choice questions with feedback, key... |
 |
Medical Microbiology & Immunology by McGraw-Hill The most concise, comprehensive, and up-to-date medical microbiology & immunology review! Gives students the high-yield information they need to prepare for the USMLE Step 1 and course exams. Completely updated throughout, the new edition covers developments in HIV, hepatitis, smallpox, SARS, and more. Features case discussions, USMLE-style questions, and a USMLE-style practice exam. |
 |
Immunology: A Short Course by Richard Coico (Author), Geoffrey Sunshine (Author) Immunology: A Short Course, Sixth Edition introduces all the critical topics of modern immunology in clear and succinct yet comprehensive fashion. The authors offer a uniquely balanced coverage of classical and contemporary approaches, basic and clinical aspects. As with the previous editions, the strength of the text is in a complete review of modern immunology without burdening the reader with excessive data or theoretical discussions. Each chapter is divided into short, self-contained units that address key topics illustrated by uniformly drawn, full-color illustrations, many brand new to this edition. The sixth edition of this successful textbook newly covers: Toll-like receptors, their ligands and intracellular activation pathways The key role of activation induced... |
 |
Fundamental Immunology by William E Paul (Editor) The textbook that has defined the field of immunology since 1984 is now in its thoroughly revised and updated Sixth Edition. This comprehensive, up-to-date text will be of interest to graduate students,post-doctoral fellows, basic and clinical immunologists, microbiologists and infectious disease physicians, and any physician treating diseases in which immunologic mechanisms play a role. This edition features expanded coverage of regulatory T cells, innate immunity, and dendritic cells. Additional chapters on cytokines are also included. A companion Website offers the fully searchable text, plus all illustrations in full color and comprehensive lists of references. (www.fundamentalimmunology.com) |
 |
Cellular and Molecular Immunology: With STUDENT CONSULT Online Access (Cellular & Molecular Immunology (Abbas)) by Abul K. Abbas MBBS (Author), Andrew H. Lichtman MD PhD (Author), Shiv Pillai MD (Author) An exceptionally lucid guide to the latest immunology concepts! Through five best-selling editions, readers worldwide have appreciated this book's in-depth yet straightforward, richly illustrated approach to this complex subject. Now, sweeping updates incorporate the latest discoveries about innate immunity, the organization of lymphoid organs, and many other cutting-edge topics. Plus, online access via STUDENT CONSULT makes this an even more powerful learning resource! Clearly explains the experimental observations that form the basis for the science of immunology at the molecular, cellular, and whole-organism levels-and the conclusions that can be drawn from those observations.Highlights the implications of immunologic science for the management of human disease, emphasizing the... |
|
Journal of Immunology & Immunopathology by Siip/Soc for Immuno & Immunopa | |
 |
Review of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Tenth Edition (LANGE Basic Science) by Warren Levinson (Author) Ace the USMLE Step 1 and course exams with the most concise, easy-to-use, and frequently updated medical microbiology and immunology review! "...an excellent resource for students as well as residents looking for a reference to aid them during their rotations....There are many microbiology review books aimed at students getting ready for national board exams. This book surpasses many of those in terms of basics and, especially, clinical relevance. The quick reference section as well as the hundreds of USMLE-type questions makes this a very solid and complete study companion. 3 Stars."--Doody's Review Service To put your preparation for USMLE Step 1 and course exams on the fast track, only one resource will do: Review of Medical Microbiology and... |
| © 2009 BrightSurf.com |