Study applies new tools to view dynamic action of immune system molecule
Tuesday, February 1, 2011 - 16:00
in Biology & Nature
(PhysOrg.com) -- Like a blood-borne army, immunoglobulin G belongs to a class of antibodies that binds to viruses, fungi, bacteria and other foreign particles to initiate their destruction. It does this by attaching to unique features on the invaders cell surface and signaling their presence to defensive cells. Precisely how this latter step happens is not entirely clear to scientists. However, finding how this happens could lead to the development of ways to boost weakened immune systems and treat such diseases as rheumatoid arthritis.
