The Rockefeller University

A new study from the Fuchs lab finds that epidermal stem cells that hail from the hair follicle retain memories of their journey to the skin's surface. Those memories are a boon for wound repair, but may also contribute to chronic diseases and cancer. #Rockefellerscience ... See MoreSee Less

The Rockefeller University

Rockefeller's Theodora Hatziioannou on what scientists know about the Omicron variant so far in The New York Times:

Dr. Hatziioannou and her colleagues have been able to produce mutant spike proteins in their laboratory that make viruses highly resistant to Covid-19 antibodies. She said that Omicron has many mutations in the same regions of the spike protein pinpointed in their own research. “The overlap is pretty striking,” she said.

That overlap has Dr. Hatziioannou concerned that Omicron will be able to evade some of the antibodies that people have acquired either from vaccines or from Covid-19 infections. Some monoclonal antibody treatments won’t work against Omicron either, she predicted, because the variant’s spike protein is protected from them.

Still, vaccines are expected to provide some protection against Omicron because they stimulate not only antibodies but immune cells that can attack infected cells, Dr. Hatziioannou said. Mutations to the spike protein do not blunt that immune-cell response. ... See MoreSee Less

The Rockefeller University

Don't miss this The Scientist piece featuring Daniel Mucida and his work on a kind of immune memory in the gut that appears to protect cells against future harm: ... See MoreSee Less

The Rockefeller University

A new study from the #RavetchLab finds that structurally altering the monoclonal antibodies currently used to treat COVID may activate the immune system more effectively and provide more protection against the virus. #Rockefellerscience ... See MoreSee Less

The Rockefeller University

A major gift from Michael and Vikki Price marks the launch of an integrated effort to map and analyze the biological underpinnings of sociality and in turn better understand related disorders such as autism, depression, and schizophrenia. ... See MoreSee Less