MIMG in the News, 2009

November 01, 2009

A quantitative affinity-profiling system that reveals distinct CD4/CCR5 usage patterns among human immunodeficiency virus type 1 and Simian immunodeficiency virus strains

The affinity of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) envelope for CD4 and CCR5 appears to be associated with aspects of R5 virus (virus using the CCR5 coreceptor) pathogenicity. However, entry efficiency results from.... [ more ]

October 30, 2009

Trypanosome motility study highlighted in HHMI news

UCLA MIMG laboratories of Manuel L. Penichet and Kent L. Hill teamed up with laboratories of UCLA physicists, John Miao and Robijn Bruinsma, to conduct high-speed video microscopy analysis of cell motility in trypanosomes that cause African sleeping sickness. The study, published in PNAS, revealed a new and unexpected form of cell propulsion in these deadly pathogens.... [ more ]

October 28, 2009

State awards $49.2 million to UCLA stem cell scientists to develop new therapies for disease

Three scientists with the Broad Stem Cell Research Center at UCLA were awarded grants today totaling $49.2 million to take leading-edge stem cell science from the laboratory and translate it into new therapies for such devastating diseases as sickle cell disease, HIV/AIDS, and brain, ovarian and colorectal cancers..... [ more ]

September 25, 2009

Galectin-1 Co-clusters CD43/CD45 on Dendritic Cells and Induces Cell Activation and Migration through Syk and Protein Kinase C Signaling

Galectin-1 is a galactoside-binding lectin expressed in multiple tissues that has pleiotropic immunomodulatory functions. We previously showed that galectin-1 activates human monocyte-derived dendritic cells (MDDCs) and triggers a specific genetic program that up-regulates DC migration through the.... [ more ]

June 07, 2009

UCLA scientists identify how key protein keeps chronic infection in check

Why is the immune system able to fight off some viruses but not others, leading to chronic, life-threatening infections like HIV and hepatitis C?
A new UCLA AIDS Institute study suggests the answer lies in a protein called interleukin-21 (IL-21), a powerful molecule released by immune cells during....