Fluorescent Biosensor Reveals Mechanism Critical To Immune System Amplification
Using a new fluorescent biosensor they developed, researchers at Carnegie Mellon University have discovered how a key set of immune cells exchange information during their coordinated assault on invading pathogens. The immune cells, called dendritic cells, are harnessed by cancer vaccines and other therapeutics used to amplify the immune system. The finding, published online in the journal Angewandte Chemie, marks the first time that scientists have visualized how antigens are transferred in the immune system between dendritic cells.
Accurate, Affordable And Stable Diagnosis Provided By Immunosignaturing
Identifying diseases at an early, presymptomatic stage may offer the best chance for establishing proper treatment and improving patient outcomes. A new technique known as immunosignaturing harnesses the human immune system as an early warning sentry - one acutely sensitive to changes in the body that may be harbingers of illness. Now, Brian Andrew Chase and Barten Legutki, under the guidance of Stephen Albert Johnston, director of the Center for Innovations in Medicine at Arizona State University's Biodesign Institute have shown that these immunosignatures are not only strong indicators of pre-symptomatic illness, but that samples from serum, plasma, saliva and dried blood can yield reliable and highly stable diagnostic results under a variety of conditions.
Microemulsion Has Been Found To Be Both Stable And A Good Candidate For Delivering A Variety Of Antigens
A researcher at the Brooke Army Medical Center (BAMC)/San Antonio Military Medical Center (SAMMC) presented findings on a new potential vaccine carrier that he hopes will extend the shelf life of and aid in the stockpiling of critical vaccines. U.S. Army Maj. Jean M. Muderhwa presented at the Experimental Biology 2012 meeting on a microemulsion he developed and that has been found to be both stable and a good candidate for delivering a variety of antigens. His findings were presented at the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology's annual meeting, which is part of EB2012.