Infection and Immunity nieuws

New strategy to tackle 'don't eat me' signal on cancer cells

Mar 21: Investigator Marianne Boes receives grant for research into lymph node cancer vaccine

Investigator Marianne Boes from UMC Utrecht received a check of more than 300,000 euros from prince Bernhard van Oranje during the “Hollandse 100”, a sporting event aiming to raise funds for research into lymph node cancer. With the proceeds, Marianne will conduct research into a new form of immune therapy against this disease.

Mar 13: Staphylococcus aureus kills immune cells in a specific way

Staphylococcus aureus produces specific proteins during an infection that can make holes in immune cells, killing them. This weakens the immune system and the bacterium can continue to exercise its harmful work, according to Angelino Tromp, who defended his dissertation in Utrecht on March 12.

Mar 5: Two patients HIV-free after stem cell transplantation

Researchers are one step closer to the cure for HIV. In two patients, the virus could no longer be found after they had stopped virus inhibitors. Both patients were treated for cancer by means of a stem cell transplant. The cells used for this transplant ensure that these patients are now HIV-free.

Feb 25: Using the body’s own defense to treat hospital infections

Our immune system protects us through antibodies against pathogenic bacteria. Why does our defense system succeed one time and sometimes not to eliminate such bacteria? That could be related to the functioning of our immune system. Professor of medical microbiology Suzan Rooijakkers investigates this in the hope of developing new immunotherapies that can replace antibiotics. On 22 February she gave her inaugural lecture on this subject.

Feb 19: Antibiotic resistance in the Netherlands under control

Contamination with resistant bacteria in patients admitted to Dutch hospitals does not result in higher mortality than contamination by non-resistant bacteria. Although the problem of antibiotic resistance in the Netherlands currently seems manageable, it is important to remain vigilant in view of the ever-changing epidemiology of resistant bacteria, according to Wouter Rottier, who will be awarded a PhD in Utrecht on February 19.

Feb 15: Three grants for translational research on rheumatic diseases

Three investigators from the Laboratory for Translational Immunology (LTI) at UMC Utrecht have received a grant from the Dutch arthritis foundation (ReumaNederland). The research projects focus on better understanding and improving the lives of patients with rheumatic diseases.

Feb 14: Genetic volume buttons affect autoimmune diseases

In patients with autoimmune diseases such as juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), the immune system starts to act against the body's own cells. Investigator Janneke Peeters at UMC Utrecht has now discovered that this happens because the 'volume buttons' of certain genes in the immune cells are too high. Also, the recycling process of broken parts in immune cells in people with an autoimmune disease is too fast. Medications that slow down these processes may offer a solution in the long term.

Feb 4: European project "Vaccines and Infectious Diseases in the Aging population" kicks off

Recently, the EU-sponsored Vaccines and InfecTious diseases in the Ageing popuLation (VITAL) project was launched. VITAL will address - in a public-private consortium - the challenges of infections in the elderly and the potential of infection prevention by vaccination.

Feb 1: New European Network for Infection Research

Physician/microbiologist Marc Bonten is working on a network for clinical scientific research into bacterial infections. “When it comes to European clinical research into infectious diseases, the Netherlands is a leading country.”