How to enable light to switch on and off therapeutic antibodies

When antigens such as a virus or bacteria invade our body, the immune system springs into action: it creates antibodies that stick to the antigens so that they can identify and destroy the intruders. Did you know that these Y-shaped proteins, AKA antibodies, have been revolutionizing the treatment of cancer, inflammatory disease and autoimmune disease, and many others? Therapeutic antibodies […]

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Liver cancer cell ‘switch’ found that could improve future therapies

Imperial researchers have found a new cell mechanism that could be used to target tumours in the future. The newly discovered ‘switch’ controls the activity of two proteins – ‘deleted in liver cancer-1’ (DLC1), a tumour suppressor, and talin. Both proteins control whether or not cancer cells spread to other parts of the body, but the exact mechanisms have remained […]

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A key switch in biological clocks

Just as we abide by an external time schedule to eat, sleep, and go to work, our body is similarly dictated by internal clocks. Known as circadian rhythms, these daily cycles keep us on a regular 24-hour day and are involved in numerous aspects of our well-being. When these biological clocks fail to work as they should, our bodies are […]

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