What do puzzles and immunity have in common? The human leukocyte antigen (HLA) system of cell-surface proteins help to regulate the immune system. Yet particular antigens can make a crucial difference. Patients with certain HLA types are more likely to have autoimmune diseases, contract infectious disease or develop cancer. Now, through better understanding of HLA function,…

From bench to bedside and back: This is the direction of malignant mesothelioma research. Yet to understand the biology of this particular type of cancer, more basic insights are still needed. And translating that knowledge into new therapies is extremely important, as only limited therapeutic options exist so far.

Molecular needles that cross the lung epithelium: That’s how asbestos – often in form of dust – enters lung tissue (Carbone et al.,…

The genetic code is the blueprint of an organism written on a stable molecule class: deoxyribonucleic acid. With the method CRISPR/Cas9, editing the genetic information has become much easier. This technique is a blessing for basic scientists, as well as for translational researchers such as Dr. Kathleen Börner, who wants to develop a gene therapy for infections caused by human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)….

They are multipotent, interact closely with endothelial cells, and are involved in immunosurveillance: the heterogeneous group of pericytes. These cells build the wall of blood vessels, and play a crucial role in the formation and maintenance of the vasculature. Due to their involvement in various pathophysiologies such as tumor angiogenesis, scientists are beginning to exploit their potential for therapeutic approaches….