Gut Microbes Help Coordinate Immune Activity in Mice
Gut Microbes Help Coordinate Immune Activity in Mice
The microbiota helps align a mouse’s innate immune system with its feeding patterns, prepping the animal to fend off infection when it’s most likely to be eating.
Gut Microbes Help Coordinate Immune Activity in Mice
Gut Microbes Help Coordinate Immune Activity in Mice

The microbiota helps align a mouse’s innate immune system with its feeding patterns, prepping the animal to fend off infection when it’s most likely to be eating.

The microbiota helps align a mouse’s innate immune system with its feeding patterns, prepping the animal to fend off infection when it’s most likely to be eating.

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How the Second mRNA Vaccine Bolsters Immunity
How the Second mRNA Vaccine Bolsters Immunity
Annie Melchor | Jul 23, 2021
A study looks beyond T and B cell responses to show how the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine elicits a strong innate immune response.
Human Protein Dissolves Bacterial Membranes
Human Protein Dissolves Bacterial Membranes
Abby Olena | Jul 15, 2021
The protein, apolipoprotein L3, destroys invading microbes by acting as a detergent in the cytosol.
Lots of Rapid Evolution in Interferon-Stimulated Genes: Study
Lots of Rapid Evolution in Interferon-Stimulated Genes: Study
Christie Wilcox | Jul 1, 2021
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.
Many Deep-Sea Microbes Invisible to Mammalian Immune System
Many Deep-Sea Microbes Invisible to Mammalian Immune System
Abby Olena | Mar 12, 2021
In a new study, human and mouse cells recognized only one in five bacterial species collected from more than a mile below the Pacific Ocean’s surface.
Infographic: A Cellular Defense Against Ebola Virus
Infographic: A Cellular Defense Against Ebola Virus
Rachael Moeller Gorman | Dec 1, 2020
A recent study sheds light on a previously unknown mechanism for fending off the pathogen, and potentially other viruses as well.
Immune Genes Protect Cells from Ebola Virus and SARS-CoV-2
Immune Genes Protect Cells from Ebola Virus and SARS-CoV-2
Rachael Moeller Gorman | Dec 1, 2020
A pathway involved in the adaptive immune system, a relative newcomer in the world of pathogen defense, may have a more ancient role in protecting cells from invading viruses.
Lipid Droplets Are Intracellular Bacteria-Fighting Machines
Lipid Droplets Are Intracellular Bacteria-Fighting Machines
Ruth Williams | Oct 15, 2020
Far from being inert fat-storage depots within cells, these lipid-loaded organelles recruit immune proteins and block bacterial growth.
Kids’ Severe COVID-19 Reaction Bears Unique Immune Signature
Kids’ Severe COVID-19 Reaction Bears Unique Immune Signature
Shawna Williams | Sep 29, 2020
The rare complication known as multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) differs from both Kawasaki disease and severe adult cases of COVID-19, a study finds.
Neutrophil Extracellular Traps May Augur Severe COVID-19
Neutrophil Extracellular Traps May Augur Severe COVID-19
Alakananda Dasgupta | May 28, 2020
These webs of chromatin and proteins, released by immune cells to control microbial infections, could serve as a therapeutic target in coronavirus infections.
SARS-CoV-2 Protein Hampers Innate Immune Reaction In Vitro
SARS-CoV-2 Protein Hampers Innate Immune Reaction In Vitro
Abby Olena | May 21, 2020
The viral protein known as ORF3b limits the induction of the type I interferon response, which typically alerts other immune system components to the presence of a virus, in cultured cells.
An Old TB Vaccine Finds New Life in Coronavirus Trials
An Old TB Vaccine Finds New Life in Coronavirus Trials
Anthony King | May 4, 2020
Studies are underway to test whether giving a shot of BCG vaccine could protect doctors and nurses against COVID-19.
Novel DNA-Sensing Pathway Found in Human Cells, Absent in Mice
Novel DNA-Sensing Pathway Found in Human Cells, Absent in Mice
Catherine Offord | Jan 24, 2020
This previously unknown mechanism for spotting foreign genetic material in the cytoplasm launches antiviral defenses even when the well-known immune mediator STING is absent.
Image of the Day: An Infectious Glow
Image of the Day: An Infectious Glow
Carolyn Wilke | Mar 7, 2019
In CRISPRed fruit flies that lack certain antimicrobial peptides, bacterial infections flourish, as revealed by fluorescent markers.
Image of the Day: Gut Reaction
Image of the Day: Gut Reaction
Carolyn Wilke | Feb 4, 2019
Immune cells in the mouse gut help recognize damaging compounds and prompt intestinal stem cells to repair DNA.
Caloric Restriction Turns White Fat Brown
Caloric Restriction Turns White Fat Brown
Alison F. Takemura | Aug 25, 2016
Limiting food intake leads to the conversion of white fat cells into more metabolically active brown fat cells through an immune response, a mouse study shows.
Antibiotic Therapy During Infancy Increases Type 1 Diabetes Risk in Mice
Antibiotic Therapy During Infancy Increases Type 1 Diabetes Risk in Mice
Alison F. Takemura | Aug 22, 2016
Three therapeutic doses administered during early life disturb the animals’ microbiomes and lead to enduring changes in the immune systems of non-obese diabetic mice, researchers report.
Amyloid Thwarts Microbial Invaders
Amyloid Thwarts Microbial Invaders
Anna Azvolinsky | May 25, 2016
Alzheimer’s disease–associated amyloid-β peptides trap microbes in the brains of mice and in the guts of nematodes, a study shows. 
Thanks for the Memories
Thanks for the Memories
Ruth Williams | Feb 1, 2015
B and T cells may be the memory masters of the immune system, but research reveals that other cells can be primed by pathogens, too.