Creating a versatile vaccine to take on Covid-19 in its many guises

Aided by machine learning, scientists are working to develop a vaccine that would be effective against all SARS-Cov-2 strains.

Steve Nadis | MIT CSAIL • mit
March 9, 2023 ~9 min

Why lung cancer doesn’t respond well to immunotherapy

A new study reveals that lymph nodes near the lungs create an environment that weakens T-cell responses to tumors.

Anne Trafton | MIT News Office • mit
Feb. 2, 2023 ~6 min


Even bivalent updated COVID-19 boosters struggle to prevent omicron subvariant transmission – an immunologist discusses why new approaches are necessary

The new bivalent boosters against COVID-19 have failed to halt omicron infections. However, new technologies are being developed that pave a way forward.

Matthew Woodruff, Instructor of Human Immunology, Emory University • conversation
Jan. 25, 2023 ~10 min

Sepsis is one of the most expensive medical conditions in the world – new research clarifies how it can lead to cell death

An overactive immune response to infection can be deadly. Studying how one key player called tumor necrosis factor, or TNF, induces lethal immune responses could provide new treatment targets.

Hayley Muendlein, Research Assistant Professor of Immunology, Tufts University • conversation
Dec. 23, 2022 ~7 min

Nasal vaccines promise to stop the COVID-19 virus before it gets to the lungs – an immunologist explains how they work

An effective nasal vaccine could stop the virus that causes COVID-19 right at its point of entry. But devising one that works has been a challenge for researchers.

Michael W. Russell, Professor Emeritus of Microbiology and Immunology, University at Buffalo • conversation
Dec. 14, 2022 ~9 min

Newly discovered species of bacteria in the microbiome may be a culprit behind rheumatoid arthritis

A new species of bacteria that doesn’t normally live in the gut may trigger an immune response so strong that it spreads to the joints.

Meagan Chriswell, MD/PhD Candidate in Immunology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus • conversation
Oct. 27, 2022 ~6 min

With fractured genomes, Alzheimer’s neurons call for help

Study indicates ailing neurons may instigate an inflammatory response from the brain’s microglia immune cells.

David Orenstein | Picower Institute for Learning and Memory • mit
Oct. 4, 2022 ~8 min

Louis Pasteur's scientific discoveries in the 19th century revolutionized medicine and continue to save the lives of millions today

On World Rabies Day – which is also the anniversary of French microbiologist Louis Pasteur’s death – a virologist reflects on the achievements of this visionary scientist.

Rodney E. Rohde, Regents' Professor of Clinical Laboratory Science, Texas State University • conversation
Sept. 28, 2022 ~11 min


HIV therapies currently need to be taken regularly for life – longer-lasting antibody treatments could one day offer an equally effective one-shot alternative

Antiretroviral therapies for HIV, while extremely effective, need to be taken daily for life. Designing antibody treatments that need to be taken only once could improve compliance and reduce drug resistance.

Ronald C. Desrosiers, Professor of Pathology, Vice-chair for Research, University of Miami • conversation
Sept. 23, 2022 ~7 min

Long COVID: How researchers are zeroing in on the self-targeted immune attacks that may lurk behind it

A new study finds that misdirected immune responses can persist for months in those who are suffering from long COVID-19.

Matthew Woodruff, Instructor of Human Immunology, Emory University • conversation
Aug. 31, 2022 ~9 min

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