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New research findings could help improve bone marrow and stem cell transplantation for patients with blood-related diseases

Mar 1, 2022

Scientists uncover the unique signature of genes expressed by hematopoietic stem cells capable of making healthy blood cells after being transplanted. BOSTON – Hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) have the capacity to both self-renew and differentiate into all mature blood cell types, making them promising treatments for a variety of diseases. However, the mechanisms involved in engraftment—when the cells […]

Could a Cure for HIV Be a Cure for a Lot More?

Feb 28, 2022

“Because of the Ragon Institute’s careful work with HIV elite controllers, scientists now have a better understanding of not just HIV, but the body’s immune system.” Could the Cure for HIV be a Cure for a Lot More? Read the new article from T Brand Studio

Most people with prior SARS-CoV-2 infection or vaccination have T cell immune responses against Omicron variant despite low antibody responses

Feb 9, 2022

BOSTON – When an individual is infected with the COVID-19–causing virus SARS-CoV-2, the immune system is called into action to produce antibodies and T cells that target viral proteins and clear the infection. It has become clear that the recent Omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2 can unfortunately escape antibody responses even in many people who have been […]

Scientists identify second HIV patient whose body appears to have rid itself of the virus

Nov 18, 2021

BOSTON – During infection, HIV places copies of its genome into the DNA of cells, creating what is known as a viral reservoir. In this state, the virus effectively hides from anti-HIV drugs and the body’s immune response. In most people, new viral particles are constantly made from this reservoir. Anti-retroviral therapy (ART) can prevent the […]

Scientists create a new best-in-class anti-malarial antibody

Nov 17, 2021

One day, monoclonal antibodies could bridge the gaps in protection left by even highly effective vaccines. BOSTON – Longstanding and equally lethal infectious disease crises have continued unabated in the background of the COVID-19 pandemic. While the 2020 mortality data is still being assessed, malaria, which kills more than 400,000 people annually, seems to have far […]

Confirmed High Levels of SARS-CoV-2 Virus in Children

Oct 15, 2021

Viral load had no correlation to disease severity in children, but children are potential spreaders of current and emerging variants. BOSTON – Researchers at the Ragon Institute of Mass General, MIT, and Harvard, Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH), and colleagues from Brigham and Women’s Hospital have published additional data on several features of the SARS-CoV-2 virus in […]

When Good T cells Go Bad

Sep 8, 2021 Features

Ragon researchers find impaired T cells precede loss of HIV control. HIV is a master of evading the immune system, using a variety of methods to prevent the body from being able to find and kill it. The vast majority of people living with HIV require daily medication to suppress the virus and therefore prevent […]

HIV Vaccine Trial “Imbokodo” Will Not Progress to Next Steps

Aug 31, 2021

Today, Johnson & Johnson announced results from the primary analysis of the HIV vaccine trial “Imbokodo,” also called HVTN 705/HPX2008. Overall, the data showed the investigational HIV vaccine, which was tested in young women at high risk for HIV infection in sub-Saharan Africa, did not provide sufficient protection against HIV infection. While the results suggest some […]