Lawrence Corey, a renowned expert in virology and immunology, has been honored with the Cubist-ICAAC Award for his pioneering work on herpes viruses, HIV, and cancer. His research has led to significant advances in antiviral therapy and vaccine development.
Researchers have identified CD4 T cells as the key players in an autoimmune response that fuels inflammation in the artery wall, leading to plaque buildup. A potential vaccine could target this response, offering a new approach to preventing heart disease.
A comprehensive review of the recent medical literature evaluates the potential for reducing HPV-related illness burden by expanding routine vaccination to include young males. The authors present their recommendations on the cost-effectiveness of male HPV vaccination, which could lead to significant public health benefits.
A UNC-led team describes a previously uncharacterized protein NLRC3 that inhibits NF-Kappa B activation and forms a novel TRAFasome complex. This discovery provides insight into mechanisms controlling inflammation and identifies potential therapeutic targets.
A study by the University of Cincinnati found that exposure to Aspergillus ochraceus, Aspergillus unguis and Penicillium variabile during infancy increases the risk of developing asthma in childhood. The research used a DNA-based mold level analysis tool to determine this link.
Researchers at Virginia Tech have discovered that abscisic acid has anti-inflammatory effects in both the lungs and gut, which could lead to a novel way to combat inflammatory disease. This compound may offer a safer alternative to existing treatments for influenza by targeting the immune response rather than the virus itself.
Researchers will explore ways to induce protective IgA human antibodies by vaccines to prevent HIV-1 infection, and produce recombinant IgAs to be tested as therapies.
Researchers found that aging mice's dendritic cells accumulated oxidation-damaged proteins, impairing their function. Administering antioxidants reversed some effects, suggesting a potential therapy to improve vaccine responses in the elderly.
Duke University has been awarded a seven-year, $186 million grant to develop an HIV vaccine by inducing precise immune factors. The program will focus on designing immunogens capable of preventing HIV transmission and protecting people worldwide.
A study published in Nature reveals that the HVEM molecule plays a critical role in protecting against bacterial infections, including E. coli and pneumococcus, by acting as a border guard to signal the immune system to respond. The discovery provides a potential new therapeutic target for preventing and treating bacterial infections.
The Scripps Research Institute has been awarded a grant to develop a vaccine against HIV and the disease it causes, AIDS. The Center for HIV/AIDS Vaccine Immunology & Immunogen Discovery (CHAVI-ID) will conduct multidisciplinary research into immune responses that prevent infection or control the virus in infected individuals.
Einstein researchers will investigate NPC1's role in infection within different species, including bats and rodents. The study aims to pinpoint possible targets for antiviral drugs designed to combat Ebola.
La Jolla Institute scientist Klaus Ley reveals a novel mechanism played a major role in inflammation. Neutrophils use sling-like membrane tethers to latch on to blood vessel walls during high blood flow, providing new insights into critical biological mechanisms underlying heart disease and other disorders.
Researchers at Aarhus University have discovered a new immune alarm signal that triggers the human immune system before a virus attack. This knowledge may lead to more efficient vaccines and better treatment of recurrent infections, potentially reducing the risk of diseases like AIDS, hepatitis, influenza, and cold sores.
Researchers have identified a master regulator gene, Spi-B, essential for the development of M cells, which play a crucial role in initiating immune responses. This discovery could aid research on oral vaccines and inflammatory bowel diseases by providing valuable insights into M cell differentiation and function.
Researchers found that individuals with HIV who can control viral replication have killer T cells with effective T cell receptors, which recognize and kill infected cells. The study suggests that the particular sequence of the protein affects the ability to control infection.
Researchers at Moffitt Cancer Center have developed a synthetic vaccine that induces tumor clearance in 100% of mice with HPV16-induced tumors. The vaccine, called TriVax-HPV, generates large numbers of cytotoxic T-cells targeting viral proteins, offering an alternative to conventional therapies for cervical cancer.
A team of IRCM researchers led by Dr. André Veillette has elucidated a poorly understood molecular mechanism associated with human immune disorder XLP disease.
Dr. Akiko Iwasaki is recognized for her groundbreaking work on tissue-specific properties of dendritic cells and the critical role of autophagy in innate immune recognition of viruses. Her research has a fundamental impact on the fields of autophagy and antiviral immunity.
Researchers at A*STAR's Singapore Immunology Network discovered that long-lived, skin-deep immune cells called Langerhans cells originate from two distinct embryonic sites - the early yolk sac and the foetal liver. These cells play a critical role in initiating protective responses against harmful foreign invaders.
Joanna B. Goldberg, Professor at University of Virginia, receives the 2012 ASM Graduate Microbiology Teaching Award for distinguished teaching and mentoring of students. She has mentored over 75 students and directs the Microbial Pathogenesis course.
L. Barth Reller, a renowned clinical microbiologist, has been recognized with the 2012 TREK Diagnostic ABMM/ABMLI Professional Recognition Award for his outstanding contributions to the field. He is also an accomplished mentor and trainer of medical microbiologists, having mentored 38 fellows who now hold leadership positions globally.
Bruce S. Rabin has made significant contributions to the understanding of the immune system's interaction with the nervous system, endocrine organs, and mental health. He has elucidated many dark corners of immunology and brought sound immunologic principles to the study of mental health and disease in humans.
Researchers at Albert Einstein College of Medicine have been awarded a $5.9 million NIH grant to develop a new TB vaccine against multi-drug resistant and extensively drug-resistant strains. The approach is based on genetically altered Mycobacterium smegmatis, which can generate a robust immune response in animals.
La Jolla Institute scientists discovered a mechanism key in drug allergy, identifying HLA gene-linked hypersensitivity reactions before use in humans. The finding could lead to pre-screening of drugs at risk of causing severe reactions.
Researchers have identified a biomarker for advanced bile duct fibrosis and bile duct cancer caused by the Asian Liver Fluke, allowing for earlier detection and potentially saving lives. The Thai Ministry of Health has implemented testing for this biomarker in endemic regions to identify individuals at risk.
A research team at the University of Melbourne has discovered the biological mechanisms behind drug hypersensitivities, revealing how the immune system perceives the body's own tissues as foreign. The finding could lead to the development of a diagnostic test to determine drug hypersensitivity.
A type of herpesvirus infection of the eye has been found to be associated with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD), a leading cause of blindness in the elderly. The virus triggers the production of vascular endothelial growth factor, leading to retinal tissue destruction and vision loss.
Researchers found that the 2009 H1N1 pandemic vaccine triggers antibodies protecting against many influenza viruses, including deadly avian H5N1 strain. This discovery could lead to universal flu vaccines eliminating seasonal vaccination needs.
GW researchers are evaluating innovative methods to assess the immune response to vaccines with a novel Toll-like Receptor (TLR)-4 agonist adjuvant. They will use new antibody profiling techniques to determine the quality of the humoral immune response in humans.
Loyola researchers found a molecule called transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) that can amplify the immune response in some cases and suppress it in others. This discovery could lead to the development of new drugs to regulate the immune system, such as activating it to attack tumor cells or suppressing it to prevent organ rejection.
The FASEB MARC Program has announced the travel award recipients for IMMUNOLOGY 2012, supporting underrepresented minority students and postdoctorates in biomedical research. This year's 25 awards total $41,250, aiming to increase diversity in the field.
Researchers identified a rare immune cell's role in antibody production and 'memory' of infectious agents, crucial for vaccine development and potential treatment of immune disorders. T follicular helper cells can remember past infections, enabling rapid responses to future attacks.
Researchers have identified a genetic signature for regulation of IL-13, a key immune hormone involved in allergic reactions. MicroRNA miR-375 is regulated by IL-13 and plays a role in asthma and eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE), a severe food allergy.
A study published in Advances in Neuroimmune Biology explores how maternal immunological tolerance of the fetus affects pregnancy outcomes. Researchers have discovered that cytokine expression at the fetal-maternal interface plays a significant role in determining oocyte competence and implantation rates.
Blood testing for food sensitivity is increasingly common, but its limitations and potential misuse have been emphasized by European and American allergy and immunology societies. Physicians should caution patients about the controversy surrounding IgG4 testing and advise them on alternative diagnostic approaches.
Researchers have developed a personalized immune mouse that can recreate an individual's immune system, allowing for unprecedented analysis of abnormalities contributing to type 1 diabetes and other autoimmune diseases. This model has the potential to develop individualized immunotherapies against cancer and infection.
Scientists at A*STAR's Singapore Immunology Network have made significant strides in understanding Chikungunya fever, a mosquito-borne disease that can cause severe joint pains. Researchers discovered a direct biomarker, IgG3 antibodies, to identify patients at risk of the more severe form of the disease.
A genetic signature has been identified for eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE), a disease causing painful food allergies, inflammation, and swallowing difficulties. The microRNA signature is reversible with steroid treatment, offering an opportunity for non-invasive diagnosis and precise analysis.
Researchers at the University of Southampton are developing laboratory-based assays to predict immune responses to biological drugs, reducing the need for animal testing. The goal is to minimize adverse reactions like the TGN1412 trials and accelerate the development of monoclonal antibodies.
Scientists at Emory University and GeoVax Labs developed a vaccine that protected nonhuman primates against multiple SIV exposures over three years. The vaccine regimen included a DNA prime vaccine with GM-CSF, which enhanced immune responses and provided 70-84% overall protection.
The Faculty of 1000 awarded $250 travel grants to 74 Associate Faculty Members who submitted six or more evaluations in 2011. The highest number of evaluations came from Faculties of Cell Biology, Immunology, Neuroscience, and Anaesthesiology & Pain Management.
The new measures aim to standardize and improve results from NIH-funded asthma research, helping to reduce disparities in treatment and outcomes. The proposed outcomes categories include symptoms, exacerbations, biomarkers, lung function, quality of life, and healthcare utilization.
Researchers identify RORalpha as critical for nuocyte development and allergic-like inflammation, offering new therapeutic strategy targets. The discovery has the potential to treat asthma and other allergic diseases, addressing growing global prevalence.
Researchers found that combining chemotherapy with antibody treatment against intracellular antigens delays tumor growth and prolongs survival. The approach uses chemotherapy to release antigens from cancer cells, allowing antibodies to effectively target them.
A team of researchers has discovered how the protein SAMHD1 protects immune cells from HIV by starving the virus of necessary building blocks. This finding could lead to more effective anti-HIV drugs and new insights into other viral infections.
Scientists have developed a new method using DNA sequencing to identify cancer cells that can be targeted by the immune system. By analyzing genetic data from cancer cells and normal cells, researchers were able to identify specific mutated genes whose altered proteins trigger immune system attacks.
Cell Press introduces Cell Reports, a new open-access journal publishing cutting-edge science on topics from evolutionary biology to immunology. The journal offers concise, provocative stories and rapid publication to facilitate access to research.
Researchers at Baylor College of Medicine have identified the specific immune response induced by cigarette smoke as the cause of emphysema. The study found that antigen-presenting cells and genes like interleukin-17 play a crucial role in the development of the disease.
Michael Deem, a computational theorist, is being honored with the engineering award for fundamental theoretical work on vaccine design, mathematical biology, and nanoporous materials structure. His research has led to breakthroughs in understanding immunology, evolution, and materials science.
Researchers at La Jolla Institute identified specific T cells that trigger type 1 diabetes in humans for the first time in human tissues. The study provides a crucial step in interrupting the disease process and highlights CD8 T cells as key players.
A recent study by the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute found that B cells can have multiple fates, including death, division, antibody production, or changes in antibody type. The researchers proposed that cell fates are determined by internal processes rather than external cues.
The hepatitis C virus has evolved a unique relationship with the liver's miR-122 microRNA to stabilize its RNA and promote efficient replication. A new experimental antiviral drug works by binding to and sequestering this microRNA, destabilizing viral genome and accelerating degradation.
New research at the Weizmann Institute shows how blood vessel cells 'hide' signals from immune cells, only allowing those with special training to cross. This selective barrier prevents certain immune cells from reaching tumors near blood vessels.
Researchers found that patients who consistently take their prescribed dose of inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) medication can prevent up to a quarter of severe asthma attacks. Taking at least 75% of the prescribed dose is crucial, according to the study.
Researchers at the Trudeau Institute have discovered a new properties of a potential vaccine adjuvant that suggests it could be useful for enhancing protection against a number of different infections. The discovery provides a promising lead for developing a new class of vaccines.
Researchers discovered that intestinal B cells acquire functions allowing them to neutralize pathogens while in the gut, a complex balance between beneficial and harmful bacteria. This finding provides insight into the immune system's ability to fight infection without damaging beneficial bacteria and other essential cells.
Researchers recommend 10 key areas for research, including large cohort studies, interdisciplinary approaches, and the development of new tools and models. Effective public-private partnerships are also essential for advancing understanding of chronic inflammatory diseases.
Researchers at La Jolla Institute create cellular movies showing the destruction underlying type 1 diabetes in real-time, providing new insights into disease process and potential therapeutic directions. The studies use two-photon microscope to illuminate cell processes previously extrapolated from photos or lab experiments.
Scientists at La Jolla Institute identify histamine releasing factor molecule as a promising target for developing new treatments for asthma and allergies. The discovery provides new insights on the role of HRF in promoting asthma and some allergies, including its receptor.