Media issued by the The University of Melbourne
An international team of researchers, including University of Melbourne staff, supported by the new ARC Centre of Excellence in Advanced Molecular Imaging and the National Health and Medical Research Council, has identified the exact biochemical key that awakes the body's immune cells and sends them into fight against bacteria and fungi.
The patented work provides a deeper understanding of our first line of defence, and what happens when it goes wrong. It will lead to new ways of diagnosing and treating inflammatory bowel disease, peptic ulcers and even TB. It could also lead to novel protective vaccines.