An international research team led by Melbourne scientists has used the Australian Synchrotron to discover more about the intricacies of the immune system in a breakthrough that may help combat viral infections such as HIV.

Co-led by Professor Jamie Rossjohn of Monash University and Associate Professor Andrew Brooks from the University of Melbourne, the international team has revealed new information about how ‘natural killer’ cells might be used to fight tumours and cells infected with viruses.

Natural killer cells are a type of white blood cell important in early immune responses to tumours and viruses. Most cells of the immune system are activated by molecules on pathogens and tumours, but natural killer cells are shut down by a group of proteins found on healthy cells.

Click here to read the Monash University media release.

Click here to go to the article in Nature.