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A brown and gray Daubenton’s bat in midair, flying in the general direction of the camera with wings outstretched and mouth open.
Duplicated Gene Helps Bats Survive “Arms Race” With Viruses
Bats are known for staying healthy even while harboring viral infections. Now, research sheds light on how their unusual immune system evolved.
Duplicated Gene Helps Bats Survive “Arms Race” With Viruses
Duplicated Gene Helps Bats Survive “Arms Race” With Viruses

Bats are known for staying healthy even while harboring viral infections. Now, research sheds light on how their unusual immune system evolved.

Bats are known for staying healthy even while harboring viral infections. Now, research sheds light on how their unusual immune system evolved.

evolution, immunology

Artist&rsquo;s rendition of multiple <em>Neisseria gonorrhoeae</em>, the bacteria that causes gonorrhea, depicted as two spheres stuck together, each covered in tendrils.
Gonorrhea-Blocking Mutation Also Protects Against Alzheimer’s: Study
Holly Barker, PhD | Aug 5, 2022 | 4 min read
Research traces the evolution of a gene variant that reduces the risk of Alzheimer’s disease, finding that it originally evolved in response to infectious bacteria.
the molecular structure of interferon-alpha
Lots of Rapid Evolution in Interferon-Stimulated Genes: Study
Christie Wilcox, PhD | Jul 1, 2021 | 2 min read
A comparison of interferon-related genes across 20 primate genomes reveals differences in the speed at which they evolve and new targets for antiviral discovery efforts.
“Rogue” Protein Could Contribute to Humans’ High Cancer Rates
Asher Jones | Apr 1, 2021 | 2 min read
A mutant protein called Siglec-XII may promote carcinoma progression in humans, but inactivation of its gene seems to avoid the problem, according to a study.
SARS-CoV-2 with Genomic Deletions Escapes an Antibody
Abby Olena, PhD | Feb 16, 2021 | 4 min read
Researchers identify deletions in the N-terminal domain of the spike protein that allow the coronavirus to avoid antibody neutralization and that may contribute to the emergence of new variants.
Women’s Cervical Mucus Prefers Some Sperm Over Others 
Abby Olena, PhD | Aug 18, 2020 | 3 min read
In human male-female pairs with a less similar suite of genes for human leukocyte antigens, sperm fare better when exposed to cervical mucus.
The Scientist Speaks Podcast – Episode 6
The Scientist | Jun 30, 2020 | 1 min read
A Game of Cancer and Evolution
Koala Immune Response to Genome-Inserting Retroviruses Identified
Emily Makowski | Oct 11, 2019 | 1 min read
Small RNAs called piRNAs provide a first line of defense against the viruses.
HIV virus
HIV-1 Genome Extracted from 1966 Tissue Sample
Nicoletta Lanese | Aug 19, 2019 | 2 min read
Scientists spent five years reconstructing what is now the oldest HIV-1 genome yet recovered.
Amazonians Offer Clues to Human Childhood Development
Shawna Williams | Jul 1, 2018 | 4 min read
A study of Shuar children in Ecuador provides a window into how the human body responds to infection in the sorts of conditions that shaped our species’ evolution.
Week in Review: October 17–21
Jef Akst | Oct 20, 2016 | 2 min read
Report finds that pathologist involved in anonymous defamation case committed multiple acts of misconduct; growing eggs from stem cells; neutrophils’ role in metastasis; convergent evolution in birds
Viral Remnants Help Regulate Human Immunity
Jyoti Madhusoodanan | Mar 3, 2016 | 3 min read
Endogenous retroviruses in the human genome can regulate genes involved in innate immune responses.
Thymus Finder
Richard P. Grant | Jul 1, 2011 | 2 min read
Editor’s Choice in Immunology
Foresight
Karen Hopkin | Jul 1, 2011 | 9 min read
Studying the earliest events in visual development, Carla Shatz has learned the importance of looking at one’s data with open eyes—and an open mind.
Family Affair
Megan Scudellari | Apr 1, 2011 | 3 min read
In discovering their shared ancestry, a distantly related animal geneticist and plant pathologist find a common thread in their work on immune receptors.
Epigenetics—A Primer
Stefan Kubicek | Mar 1, 2011 | 1 min read
There are many ways that epigenetic effects regulate the activation or repression of genes. Here are a few molecular tricks cells use to read off the right genetic program.
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