Metagenomics, the study of DNA isolated from samples of naturally occurring microbial populations, is rapidly growing. Improvements to cloning and sequencing techniques are allowing researchers to study microorganisms in environmental samples, and new knowledge of species interactions and community dynamics is emerging. The identification of microorganisms in these samples is of vital importance to interpreting [...]

Immutep S.A. announced the final results from its Phase I/II chemoimmunotherapy clinical trial in metastatic breast carcinoma. The final results confirm the clinical response rate of 50 percent using Immutep’s IMP321 associated with paclitaxel. This compares to 25 percent using paclitaxel alone.

Immune proteins called HLA molecules help to activate killer T cell responses against pathogens. But according to a study published online on December 14th in the Journal of Experimental Medicine , one particular group of HLA molecules cripples this activation, perhaps explaining why HIV-infected individuals who express these HLAs progress to AIDS more rapidly than [...]

The Department of Neurology at Jefferson Hospital for Neuroscience has been awarded a multi-million dollar grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) for the creation of a center of excellence to study autoimmune diseases from basic science research to its translation into clinical applications. The five-year grant initially totals over $4 million, but could [...]

Micromet, Inc. (Nasdaq: MITI), a biopharmaceutical company developing novel, proprietary antibodies for the treatment of cancer, inflammation and autoimmune diseases, announced data from its completed phase 2 clinical trial with blinatumomab in patients with B-precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). The data were presented in an oral presentation(1) at the 51st Annual Meeting of the American [...]