November 11, 2011

Balancing act in the gut

Vanderbilt researchers have identified an antigen important to balancing the immune response to bacteria in the gut.

By Leigh MacMillan

February 15, 2008

Immune system protein starves ‘staph’ bacteria

One of the ways we defend ourselves against bacterial foes is to “hide” their food, particularly the metals they crave. A multi-disciplinary team led by Vanderbilt University investigators has now discovered that a protein inside certain immune system cells blocks the growth of “staph” bacteria by sopping up manganese and zinc.