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T-cells and brain cancer cell. Composite coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of T-cells and an apoptotic brain cancer cell. T-cells are a component of the body's immune system. CAR T-cell therapy takes T-cells from a cancer patient's blood and modifies them to recognize a specific protein found on patient's tumor cells. When reintroduced to the patient the T-cells find and destroy the tumour cells. The newest form of CAR T-cell therapy, now in clinical trials, uses 'memory' T-cells which remain in the body after attacking the cancer. The hope is that memory T-cells may provide an active reservoir of cancer-killing cells capable of stopping further tumours. Magnification: x6000 at 10cm wide.

How genetically engineered immune cells are beating some cancers

31 January 2023

In some cases, it is now possible to genetically engineer the immune system to banish cancers like T-cell leukaemia that were previously unresponsive to treatments

Eating too much salt seems to impair body's ability to fight bacteria

25 March 2020

High salt intake seems to impair the immune cells in humans that fight bacteria because of a side effect of the hormones that help get rid of salt

Beating cancer: How viruses are being used to infect and kill tumours

23 October 2019

We’ve long known that viruses can target cancers in our bodies. Now, thanks to gene editing, we’re using them as tumour search and destroy agents – and getting our immune systems to join the fight too

We’ve discovered a whole new defence system against germs in our noses

12 November 2018

Billions of tiny sacs filled with weapons and warning signals to other cells are released into the lining of our noses when dangerous bacteria are detected