Journal Club

Highlighting recently published papers selected by Academy members

Category Archives: Immunology

Journal Club: Mutation helps Zika virus evolve to more easily infect mosquitoes, spread infection

Posted on June 16, 2017 by Carolyn Beans

Scientists discovered the Zika virus over half a century ago. But it wasn’t until recent outbreaks in French Polynesia and South America that the mosquito-borne virus, now associated with Guillain-Barre syndrome in adults and microcephaly in newborn babies, reached epidemic … Continue reading →

Journal Club: Macrophages help regenerate ear parts in spiny mice

Posted on June 10, 2017 by Jyoti Madhusoodanan

Salamander tails and fish fins are oft-cited examples of animals’ ability to regenerate a lost limb or organ. But one mammal—the African spiny mouse—has also emerged as a model of regenerative abilities. In a recent study, Ashley Seifert of the University … Continue reading →

Journal Club: A new strategy for producing polio vaccine without live virus

Posted on February 6, 2017 by Carolyn Beans

The poliovirus, which once paralyzed children across the globe, is nearly eradicated in nature. There were just 74 cases of polio reported in 2015, according to the World Health Organization, down from an estimated 350,000 in 1988. Two vaccines contributed … Continue reading →

Journal Club: Phage find clever ways to infiltrate resistant bacteria and shuttle DNA between strains

Posted on January 24, 2017 by Charlotte Schubert

In the gut, in the soil, and myriad other spots, bacteria reign, forming complex communities—but not in isolation. They’re often influenced by bacteria-killing viruses known as bacteriophages. A recent study in Cell now shows how such viruses can infect bystander, … Continue reading →

Journal Club: Can transmissible vaccines have a major role in eradicating disease?

Posted on November 14, 2016 by Megan Scudellari

Vaccines are powerful, but they are not perfect. In some cases, communities struggle to vaccinate enough individuals to stop the spread of a pathogen. But suppose that instead of vaccinating most of a population, it were possible to vaccinate just … Continue reading →

Categories: Immunology | Journal Club | Tagged transmission, vaccines | Leave a comment

Journal Club: Zika virus causes eye problems, suggesting implications for diagnostics and transmission

Posted on September 19, 2016 by Charles Choi

A significant number of Zika patients experience problems with their eyes. Now scientists find that the Zika virus can infect every part of the eye in mice. Moreover, its RNA can be detected in teardrops, and samples from infected eyes … Continue reading →

Categories: Immunology | Journal Club | Tagged cornea, iris, optic nerve, retina, tears, virus, Zika | 1 Comment

Journal Club: Removing an immune inhibitor helps protect against lethal fungal infections

Posted on August 4, 2016 by Jyoti Madhusoodanan

Protecting cells from out-of-control immune reactions comes at a price: the same protein that quiets B and T cells to prevent autoimmune responses may also hinder the body’s fight against pathogens. Now researchers have found that in the case of … Continue reading →

Categories: Immunology | Journal Club | Tagged candida albicans, cblb, dectin, fungus, ubiquitin | Leave a comment

Journal Club: Low-calorie diets might improve effectiveness of cancer treatments

Posted on July 25, 2016 by Amber Dance

The old saying goes, “feed a cold, starve a fever”—now scientists might add, “starve a tumor.” In mice, a low-protein, low-calorie diet sensitizes breast cancer and melanoma cells to attack by the immune system, while prodding the immune system itself … Continue reading →

Categories: Cell Biology | Immunology | Journal Club | Tagged cancer, diet, doxorubicin | Leave a comment

Journal Club: Mosquito saliva inflames immune system to spread viruses, suggesting possible interventions

Posted on July 21, 2016 by Megan Scudellari

The quick, piercing bite of a mosquito leaves behind a tiny amount of saliva under the skin of its prey. This saliva has been shown to have potent effects, such as numbing the pain of the bite and preventing blood … Continue reading →