Bug barcode readers hold out promise of universa...(ts and manifests as slightly different f...)

Date:10/15/2009

ts and manifests as slightly different forms of a type of molecule called a toll-like receptor or TLR. TLR's work like a barcode reader to identify a particular threat to the health of an animal and give the immune system the information it needs to respond and in this way are very important to determining the success of vaccination. Local differences in this system in humans might partly explain the variable success rate of Tuberculosis vaccination programmes around the world."

One way to make a good vaccine even more effective is to accompany it with a "helper substance", known as an adjuvant.

Professor Werling continued: "We already know that molecules that interact with TLRs make very good vaccine adjuvants and with the knowledge we have gained about species and geographical variations, we have the ability to use these strategically."

Professor Janet Allen, BBSRC Director of Research said: "When we embark on research to understand the fundamental workings of something as complicated as the immune system of mammals, we really don't know what gems we might discover. To be able to maintain the health of people and animals using one single vaccine would be a great development and shows that there is value in understanding the basic biology of how things work.

"There are infections by microbes such as Salmonella, E.coli and Campylobacter that can occur in many species and cause a significant risk to health and having a 'one medicine' approach to preventing and treating these can really only be a good thing."

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Contact: Tracey Jewitt press.office@bbsrc.ac.uk 01-793-414-694 Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council Source:Eurekalert

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