There are cells called macrophages in almost all organs of the body. Macrophages are very skilled at recognizing infections and stress and absorbing bacteria, waste and dead cells. Macrophages develop early in the embryonic stage and then migrate to organs where they subsequently remain. The macrophages of the brain, so called microglia, are different from macrophages in other organs.
Finding alternatives to animal testing is easier said than done. We are already working on this, but during this process questions also arise: can we completely imitate everything we want to investigate in a culture dish? Which technologies are currently available; what is possible? To find even more answers to these questions, we participated in the Helpathon.
The Leuven vaccine is based on the yellow fever vaccine. This vaccine is used since 1937, making it one of the oldest and safest vaccines in the world. Scientists from KU Leuven have now converted the yellow fever vaccine in such a way that it offers protection against SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.
For 32 years it has been World AIDS Day on December 1. The day when the world takes a moment to consider the fight against AIDS, and we call for more solidarity for people with HIV and AIDS. This is still necessary because the search for a well-functioning vaccine is not over yet.
The year 2020 will go down in the books as the first year of active spread of the West Nile virus in the Netherlands. Now it remains to be seen whether the virus survives the winter. If necessary, there are at least a few concept vaccines ready on the shelf. Partly thanks to monkeys from BPRC.
Genetics is an important line of research within BPRC. For example, we investigate the MHC. MHC stands for major histocompatibility complex, and these genes play a central role in the immune system.
In the wild, young adult male macaques leave their natal group to join a group of unrelated females. This is a biological process to prevent inbreeding. How can this best be simulated in captive macaques? It was the central question in Dr. Astrids thesis. Today she defended her thesis in the Academy Building of Utrecht University.
‘Exploring protective and pathogenic immune responses in the non-human primate model of tuberculosis.’ This is the title of the thesis for which Dr. Karin obtained her PhD. In this thesis she describes how, with the help of a macaque model, she has obtained new insights into protective and pathogenic immune responses in tuberculosis.
