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as HIV and SARS-CoV-2.
Such studies could help to
reveal why some people
naturally fight off certain
viruses better than others,
and potentially lead to
the development of more
effective vaccines.

The researchers envision
that this technology could
also have other uses.
Birnbaum’s lab is now
working on adapting the
same viruses to deliver
engineered genes to
target cells. In that case,
the viruses would carry not
only a targeting molecule
but also a novel gene that A NEW TECHNIQUE
would be incorporated
exclusively into cells that REVEALS HOW IMMUNE
have the right target.
This could offer a way to CELLS LOCATE THEIR TARGETS
selectively deliver genes
that promote cell death
into cancer cells, for MIT biological engineers have developed
example.
a simple way to identify B or T cells that
“We built this tool to look interact with viral or bacterial proteins.
for antigens, but there’s
nothing particularly special
about antigens,” Birnbaum
says. “You could potentially
use it to go into specific
cells in order to do gene
modifications for cell and A study in Previous research has ¸ One group ate 50 contribute to bone loss in
gene therapy.” postmenopausal people shown that polyphenol grams (g) of prunes postmenopausal women.
suggests eating nutrient- extracts—plant (about six prunes) Thus, prunes might be
rich prunes every day compounds that act daily for 12 months. a promising nutritional
may be beneficial to as antioxidants and intervention to prevent
bone health, reducing reduce inflammation—in ¸ A second group the rise in inflammatory
inflammatory factors prunes promote lower ate 100 g of prunes mediators often observed
that contribute to levels of oxidative stress (about 12 prunes) as part of the aging
osteoporosis. and inflammation in a daily for 12 months. process,” said Janhavi
type of bone cell called Damani, MS, first author
An estimated 13.6 million osteoclasts. In a new ¸ A control group ate of the study.
people in the U.S. over study, researchers no prunes.
the age of 50 will develop from the Integrative
osteoporosis—a loss of and Biomedical The research team
Physiology Program
looked at blood
bone strength caused by and the Departments samples taken from all
reduced mineral density of Nutritional Sciences volunteers before and
of the bones—by the
MIT biological engineers and Kinesiology at The after the trial and found
have devised a way to per- year 2030. Osteoporosis Pennsylvania State significant reductions in
form large-scale screens increases the risk of University explored the inflammatory markers in
of how T cells such as this fracture, especially in effects of prunes on bone both of the prune-eating
one recognize specific older adults. People who health after menopause groups compared to the
pathogens, such as the HIV experience menopause control group.
viruses (yellow) show in this have lower levels of Postmenopausal women Prune study graph-
image. Credit: Seth Pincus, estrogen, which trigger an ic. Credit: Janhavi J.
Elizabeth Fischer and with a bone mineral “Our findings suggest Damani, MS; Nicole C.A.
Austin Athman, National increase in inflammation density score that was that consumption of six Strock, PhD; Mary Jane
Institute of Allergy and in the body, which can defined as low—a marker to 12 prunes per day may De Souza, PhD; Connie J.
Infectious Diseases/NIH also contribute to bone of osteoporosis—were reduce pro-inflammatory Rogers, PhD, MPH
loss. divided into three groups: mediators that may