Maziar Divangahi /channels/taxonomy/term/8558/all en Fighting the flu: The surprising power of a century-old vaccine for tuberculosis /channels/channels/news/fighting-flu-surprising-power-century-old-vaccine-tuberculosis-355628 <p>As Canada’s flu season collides with record strep A cases and ongoing COVID-19 concerns, a new study is shedding light on our understanding of respiratory immune responses. Scholars from the Research Institute of the ֱ Health Centre (RI-MUHC) have discovered a surprising facet about a century-old vaccine for tuberculosis, Bacillus Calmette Guérin (BCG).</p> Thu, 22 Feb 2024 13:53:05 +0000 webfull 198039 at /channels How immune cells generated neonatally protect our lungs throughout our lifetime /channels/channels/news/how-immune-cells-generated-neonatally-protect-our-lungs-throughout-our-lifetime-345860 <p>Every day, humans breathe in 11,000 litres of air. But this essential act also means we inhale microorganisms, particles, and pollutants. A new study from the Research Institute of the ֱ Health Centre (RI-MUHC) has revealed how the unique immune cells that are developed in the embryo protect our lungs from environmental challenges throughout the course of our lifetime.</p> Thu, 02 Feb 2023 14:55:52 +0000 webfull 186959 at /channels Canadian researchers on promising path towards developing flu treatment using lipid target /channels/channels/news/canadian-researchers-promising-path-towards-developing-flu-treatment-using-lipid-target-297368 <p>For most people, the influenza A virus (IAV), commonly known as the flu, is cleared from the body by our own immune system. In some cases, however, the immune response becomes dysregulated and if left uncontrolled, the inflammation caused by our own immune cells can lead to extensive lung tissue damage and enhanced morbidity and mortality.</p> <p>How can we help our immune system to balance the two main host defense strategies: attacking pathogens (called <i>host resistance</i>) and preserving our own tissue (called <i>disease tolerance</i>)?</p> Wed, 22 May 2019 15:59:08 +0000 webfull 149497 at /channels Anti-TB drugs can increase risk of TB re-infection /channels/channels/news/anti-tb-drugs-can-increase-risk-tb-re-infection-295658 <p>Current treatments for tuberculosis (TB) are very effective in controlling TB infection caused by <i>Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb).</i> They don’t, however, always prevent reinfection. Why this happens is one of the long-standing questions in TB research.</p> Fri, 22 Mar 2019 18:11:29 +0000 webfull 147608 at /channels Beyond Killing Tuberculosis /channels/channels/news/beyond-killing-tuberculosis-287156 <p>Historically, our view of host defense against infection was that we must eliminate pathogens to eradicate disease. However, this perspective has recently been challenged as scientists have taken a lesson from plant biologists about an ancient strategy involving the ability to “tolerate” rather than “resist” infection to maintain health. This concept, referred to as “disease tolerance”, provides an opportunity to develop new strategies that mitigate the consequences of infection.</p> Fri, 11 May 2018 19:11:41 +0000 webfull 137957 at /channels Meet RIPK3: Good Cop, Bad Cop, all in one /channels/channels/news/meet-ripk3-good-cop-bad-cop-all-one-285090 <p><span>Each year, influenza kills half a million people globally with the elderly and very young most often the victims. In fact, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported 37 children have died in the United States during the current flu season. Aside from getting the flu shot and employing smart hand hygiene, there are no other methods of prevention. However, a team of scientists from the Research Institute of the ֱ Health Centre (RI-MUHC) and ֱ, led by Immunologist Dr.</span></p> Wed, 14 Feb 2018 15:09:01 +0000 webfull 135419 at /channels Re-programming innate immune cells to fight tuberculosis /channels/channels/news/re-programming-innate-immune-cells-fight-tuberculosis-283809 <p align="center"> Thu, 11 Jan 2018 17:33:33 +0000 webfull 134020 at /channels Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS): ֱ expert /channels/news/middle-east-respiratory-syndrome-mers-mcgill-expert-236643 Tue, 13 May 2014 14:35:34 +0000 webfull 102839 at /channels TB: avoiding and subverting immunity /channels/news/tb-avoiding-and-subverting-immunity-240880 Mon, 22 Dec 2014 21:44:24 +0000 webfull 107285 at /channels Researchers find that influenza has an Achilles’ Heel /channels/news/researchers-find-influenza-has-achilles%E2%80%99-heel-235198 Thu, 10 Apr 2014 16:04:48 +0000 webfull 102335 at /channels