Collaborative studies reveal how Immune Cells maintain their killer power
Scientists at the University of Dundee and the University of Cambridge have discovered (1) how Cytotoxic T cells, - the white blood cells that recognise and eliminate threats, such as tumour cells and cells infected with invading viruses –are able to successfully reload the toxic weapons they use as they hunt down targets.
Lead Professor Gillian Griffiths from the Cambridge Institute for Medical Research explained: “T cells are trained assassins that are sent on their deadly missions by the immune system. Once a T cell has found its target, it binds to it and releases its toxic cargo. “But what is particularly remarkable is that they are then able to go on to kill and kill again.”
Exactly how this process happens has not been well understood and a significant breakthrough in the study indicated that the refuelling of the T cells’ toxic weapons is regulated by mitochondria, using a different mechanism than that of their normal
function of providing cells with energy.
The team in Cambridge discovered that T cells with problems in mitochondria were defective killers that were unable to replenish key proteins required for killing.
Using the mass spectrometry capability of the Dundee’s Proteomics Facility in the School of Life Sciences, the researchers discovered that it was specifically the proteins that make up the toxic ammunition that were unable to be quickly manufactured and reloaded when the mitochondria was compromised.
Dr Julia Marchingo from the School of Life Sciences explained, “The state-of-the-art proteomics technology available here in the University of Dundee enabled accurate mapping of the proteins that changed when T cells have defective mitochondria.”
Professor Doreen Cantrell, laboratory leader of the Dundee collaborative work added: “Having this top-of-the-line technological capability here in Dundee means that
Professor Doreen Cantrell. Credit University of Dundee
scientists in academia and industry from all over the UK come to us for our expertise. This creates really exciting collaborative opportunities to make important discoveries in both basic science and clinical research.”
The research was funded by the Wellcome Trust. 1. Published in Science
Dr Julia Marchingo Credit: University of Dundee
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56524pr@reply-direct.com Prize Reform to encourage efforts for greater Inclusion and Diversity
“Equality, diversity and inclusion are key to ethical and successful science. By harnessing talent inclusively, science will go further faster. Diverse skills and perspectives are important, as scientists contribute to tackling global challenges and making life better for current and future generations.” Ale Palermo
The Royal Society of Chemistry has changed its Inclusion & Diversity Prize from a biennial into an annual accolade in further efforts to promote greater equality and fairness in the chemical sciences. Dr Helen Pain, CEO of the Royal Society of Chemistry, said: “Our recognition portfolio is one of the oldest in science and carries significant international prestige. When we conducted our review, we promised that our prizes should not only celebrate great science, but also recognise the leaders who go above and beyond to break down barriers in the chemical sciences and open up new and extraordinary opportunities.
“We hope that awarding this prize annually will further incentivise people and institutions to research and implement policies and initiatives that create a more inclusive community. It also celebrates amazing examples and provides inspiration on what we can all do to make science a more diverse – and ultimately more productive – environment.”
The 2021 Inclusion and Diversity Prize was won by BlackinChem, a movement started in the US that reached around the world to celebrate Black excellence in chemistry and build a global community of Black chemists and their supporters. In previous years, the Prize has been awarded in recognition of individuals’
initiatives. In addition to celebrating the winners and their achievements, the prize also provides a showcase and inspiration for future nominees and for the community.”
Helen Pain work in the areas of teaching as well as disabilities.
Dr Ale Palermo, Senior Manager, External Relations at the RSC, said: “Equality, diversity and inclusion are key to ethical and successful science. By harnessing talent inclusively, science will go further faster. Diverse skills and perspectives are important, as scientists contribute to tackling global challenges and making life better for current and future generations.
“Since we launched our Inclusion & Diversity Prize in 2017, we have been honoured to recognise three extraordinary
Quantum Experiments in Space – Call for International Collaboration
Leading experts are calling for scientific, engineering, industrial and political communities to join forces and take quantum experiments to space where optimal conditions for testing the basic principles of nature would exist.
“There is a great effort and indeed investment in the UK to translate quantum technology into real world industrial applications,” said Professor Hendrik Ulbricht from the School of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Southampton. “At the same time the UK is reconsidering their strategy for space and is looking for key technologies with strength to be world leading in space; maybe Quantum Technology could be one of these,” he continued.
Professor Mauro Paternostro, Head of the School of Mathematics and Physics at Queen’s, commented: “Scientific legacy of the 20th century is two-fold – on one hand there is quantum mechanics, which has helped us to explain the fundamental principles of the microscopic world. On the other hand, we have the space programme, which has made space exploration a reality.
“If scientists in these two areas were to join together we could deliver truly unforeseen possibilities.”
While the plan to take the experiments to space could transform science, it would also be costly and Professors Ulbricht and Paternostro are calling on the efforts of the entire science community to turn the dream into a reality.
“It is clear that any new technological developments for space have to be made on the international stage, so a strong multi-national consortium has to be formed; but there could be a chance for a strong leading UK partner to develop key technology for quantum experiments in space,” continued Professor Ulbricht. “The University of Southampton with its expertise in optomechanics, transitioning scientific experiments from the lab to real-world application, and its close links to UK space industries could play a major role in this endeavour,” he concludes.
The next step will be to initiate a trans-national dialogue among quantum and space stakeholders to map out a plan for the work.
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Amongst a number of initiatives from the RSC has been the 2018’s Breaking the Barriers report on women’s retention and progression in the chemical sciences and the Exploring the Workspace for LGBT+ Physical Scientists report. From these, and with the support of the Chemists’ Community, the RSC has launched Grants for Carers to overcome issues related to combining parenting or caring duties with career progression; and a bullying and harassment support service to provide confidential support for those affected in any way by workplace bullying and harassment. Later this year, the RSC will launch a report focusing on race and ethnicity inequities in the chemical sciences.
In response to specific concerns about gender bias in publishing revealed in its 2019 Diversity Landscape of the Chemical Sciences report, last year the RSC launched A Framework For Action in Scientific Publishing, designed to establish founding principles that eliminate bias.
The Royal Society of Chemistry’s 2022 Inclusion and Diversity Prize is now open
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