The Immune System – News and Features

Writing in the latest edition of the journal, the editors argue that the Trump administration’s recent dismantling of public health and research infrastructure “pose[s] immediate and long-term risks to the health of neighboring countries”.

An AI-enabled drug discovery approach identified a potentially game-changing treatment for Rett syndrome, which has been advanced from the lab bench to an FDA Orphan Drug Designation in record time.

Researchers at Baylor College of Medicine discovered that mutations in the TET2 gene in blood stem cells could protect against late-onset Alzheimer’s disease. The study showed that TET2-mutant cells help clear beta-amyloid plaques.

A CU Anschutz study also identified the presence of a bacterium that causes gum disease in joint tissue, meaning it may play a role in the development of rheumatoid arthritis.

Researchers have developed a bioengineered hydrogel platform capable of preserving patient-derived tumor tissues for longer periods, a breakthrough that could enhance drug testing for abdominal cancer.

Researchers identified a protein that could be targeted to block chronic inflammation. Crucially, this strategy would not interfere with acute inflammation, allowing the immune system to continue responding appropriately to short-term threats.

Researchers tested a gene therapy that restored partial hearing in patients with OTOF gene mutations causing congenital deafness. The therapy delivered a functional OTOF gene using an adeno-associated virus (AAV) injection.

Researchers have pioneered a novel 3D platform that mimics the human bone marrow and immune environment, enabling more predictive testing of cancer immunotherapy success in patients, including CAR T cell therapies.

Scientists have developed a new polymer, PHOx, which could significantly improve the safety of implantable medical devices while also being more environmentally friendly.

Influenza hemagglutinin subunit vaccines are more effective and offer better cross protection against various influenza virus challenges when combined with a mucosal adjuvant, according to a study.