Category Archives: Health

Balancing modern and ancient anti-viral immunity

The human genome is stuffed full of ancient retrovirus genomes, a heritable legacy of ancestral infections. These pieces of DNA are dynamic elements, and can hop around the human genome and drive its ongoing diversification. Mostly, though, they are kept … Continue reading

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Posted in Disease, Evolution, Health, Science, Virology, Viruses | Leave a comment

Using Viruses to Tune T Cell Functionality

As we have learned more about the world of microbes, it’s become clear that it’s possible to use bacteria and viruses as treatments against disease. But although microbes often work incredibly well at protecting against infections or attacking tumours, we … Continue reading

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Posted in Bacteria, Cancer Immunotherapy, Disease, Health, Immunology, Microorganisms, Oncolytic Virus, Personalised Medicine, Science, Vaccines, Virology, Viruses | Leave a comment

Childhood obesity linked to poor vaccine protection

Obese adults are at a greater risk of getting infected by – and dying from – influenza viruses like the pandemic H1N1. So, it’s probably very important for obese individuals to get their flu shot each year. Yet interesting research … Continue reading

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Posted in Disease, Health, Immunology, Obesity, Science, Vaccines, Viruses | Leave a comment

Huge new database finds early transcriptional programs driving vaccine immunity

In recent years, scientists have made huge progress in furthering our understanding of how the immune system works, and applying this knowledge to vaccine design. Yet we are still pretty much in the dark about what makes a “good” vaccine. … Continue reading

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Posted in Disease, Health, Medicine, Science, Vaccines, Virology | Leave a comment

A genetic blueprint of influenza virus

Currently, scientists can easily manipulate the genetic codes and epigenetic markers of viruses. This can help us to come up with innovative new ways to protect against serious pathogens like influenza virus, which can cause debilitating and even fatal infections. … Continue reading

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Posted in Disease, Health, Microorganisms, Science, Vaccines, Virology, Viruses | Leave a comment