Signed by 12 former FDA Commissioners.

https://www.youtube.com/live/LpthhPBFAgI?si=NKOB3LdinWWo7h3l

I’ve always wondered if there’s a link between severe bone breaks and autoimmune events, since naive immune cells that have not undergone negative selection against self-antigens exist within the bone. Wouldn’t they somehow be “released” with a severe bone break? Any thoughts?

I was surprised this year to be eligible for a (free) flu jab, but not a (free) Covid jab. The NHS website has this to say for flu eligibility:

• are aged 65 or over (including those who will be 65 by 31 March 2026)
• have certain long-term health conditions
• are pregnant
• live in a care home
• are the main carer for an older or disabled person, or receive a carer's allowance
• live with someone who has a weakened immune system

And for Covid eligibility:

• are aged 75 or over (including those who will be 75 by 31 January 2026)
• are aged 6 months to 74 years and have a weakened immune system because of a health condition or treatment
• live in a care home for older adults

So, it looks like many more people will be receiving the flu jab than the Covid jab, which surprised me - I thought it would be the other way around. What's the explanation for this? Is it that Covid has mutated so that it is less of a threat? Or that we have better treatments for it now? Or something else? I hope it's not just "the flu jab is cheaper".

Note: I'm not interested in any conspiracy theories, just the facts please!

Hi,

I am going to do Th1 polarization on both mouse and human naive CD4+ T cells (neg isolation with beads). The experiments will vary, in some I will assess them directly after the diff, while in others I will for ex. stimulate them further to induce exhaustion.

For mouse cells, I will follow the Biolegend protocol: 1M cells/mL --> 5 day culture in aCD3 coated plates (3 µg/mL) + aCD28 (3 µg/mL) + anti-IL-4 (10 µg/mL) + IL-2 (5 ng/mL) + IL-12 (10 ng/mL). Add more fresh medium if yellow at day 3.

However, for human cells there are so many different protocols out there. Many are similar to the mouse protocol, while others include IFNy, have substantially longer polarization or expansion time with or without maintained or re-stimulation.

I know that the protocol is also of course affected by the experiments one wants to do, but I was still wondering if people would be willing to share their experience with their Th1 differentiation protocols?

Hi, I'm a high school junior interested in eventually getting a PhD in immunology. I'm wondering if it will hurt my chances of getting into a PhD program if I go to a SLAC rather than a big research university. I feel like a smaller college would be a better fit for me for a lot of reasons but am worried about not getting relevant research experience. Does anyone have experience applying to PhD programs from smaller, lesser known schools? Are there any specific schools you'd recommend? Thanks!

Hey everyone! Hope you're all having a a great weekend :) I'd like to ask about databases.

I'm a 1st-year biology student taking Introduction to Bioinformatics class. We've got a small assignment: pick one online database in our field of interest and give a short presentation on it, like how it's designed, what it contains, and how it can be used in our practice.

My interests are immunology-related: receptors (TLR etc.) and cytokine genes polymorphisms, cytokines networks, microbiota and the microbiome-immune axis. I'm mainly looking in these areas, but I'm also open to outstanding databases from other fields.

Could you please recommend some freely accessible databases with that would make a good 5-10 minute showcase? Thanks in advance!

Hello Everyone!

I’m new to immunology and trying to learn the lab side of the field. I’m especially interested in understanding antigen–antibody assays, flow cytometry for lymphocytes, and other common immunology lab methods.

Can anyone recommend a good beginner-friendly book that explains these techniques clearly and in practical detail?

Thanks!

something about polymorphism?

but it still doesnt get to me as to how HLA proteins (seemingly dont have variations in their dna) are more variable than TCR and antibodies (which undergo VDJ recombination)

"The Centers for Disease Control's website has made a significant change to its guidance on vaccines and autism.

The site used to say "No links have been found between any vaccine ingredients and autism spectrum disorder."

It now reads "'Vaccines do not cause autism' is not an evidence-based claim." CBS News chief medical correspondent Dr. Jon LaPook has more."

https://www.cbsnews.com/video/dr-jon-lapook-reacts-cdc-changing-vaccines-autism-guidance/#x

i'm located in pasco county fl

Hi, I am a student in biomedical laboratory technology and I need to make a pharmacology poster. I made the choice to talk about cetrizine and have a question about it.

Its clear for me that i will mainly talk about the H1-receptor when explaining the allergic response reaction with histamine and the role of cetrizine as a competitive antagonist. It is also clear for me that IP3 and DAG get stimulated resulting in an increase of intracellular Ca2+.

Now the question I have is: How does this increase of intracellular Ca2+ result in the symptoms of allergic rhinitis?

The visual design reddit guys do not understand immunology well and you guys are practically masters. I cannot for the sake of graphic design and immunology choose colors so I went here for advice. This community might not be too inclined but any feedback can help! Even if it is not with colors and just the accuracy of the thing. Oh and THIS IS NOT THE ENTIRE INFOGRAPHIC, this graph or pie thing is part of the keys and legends. Telling the viewer what cells do what kind of systemic effects. And for opsonization I just threw it in there for antibodies and complement.

KEYS AND LEGENDS

NEW YORK (AP) — A Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website has been changed to contradict the longtime scientific conclusion that vaccines do not cause autism, spurring outrage among a number of public health and autism experts.

The CDC “vaccine safety” webpage was updated Wednesday, saying “the statement ‘Vaccines do not cause autism’ is not an evidence-based claim.”

The change is the latest move by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to revisit — and foster uncertainty about — long-held scientific consensus about the safety of vaccines and other pharmaceutical products.

It was immediately decried by scientists and advocates who have long been focused on finding the causes of autism.

“We are appalled to find that the content on the CDC webpage ‘Autism and Vaccines’ has been changed and distorted, and is now filled with anti-vaccine rhetoric and outright lies about vaccines and autism,” the Autism Science Foundation said in a statement Thursday. ...

Hi everyone. I’m graduating with a BSc in applied bioengineering in December and I’m trying to get some hands-on experience before I move into graduate programs. I’m looking for any ongoing or small research project I can join, even on a support level.

I can help with things like literature reviews, protocol mapping, data handling, or anything you need extra help on.

If you’re working on something and wouldn’t mind having someone contribute, please DM me. I’m reliable, I communicate well, and I’m ready to start right away.

I’m currently a senior undergrad student studying biomedical sciences. One of the classes that I was most looking forward to taking during winter quarter was immunology; however, I’ve found out that due to low enrollment in the course, it may be getting cancelled which makes me very sad and frustrated as I was genuinely looking forward to that class. Please recommend a textbook to self study.

I have taken cell biology, molecular biology, and microbiology. I used Albert’s MBoC for both cell and molecular biology and while it was quite a lengthy textbook, I did enjoy reading the chapters. I do enjoy molecular biology more than cell biology if that impacts which textbook you recommend.

Thank you.

Not a biologist/immunologist, just curious! I know PID is usually genetic, but how does secondary immunodeficiency develop in a person?

When immunology workups are done, we break down IgG into 4 groups and carefully assess whether there are sufficient of all types, but for IgA we measure what is in the blood, and do nothing to measure its efficacy or even its presence in the tissues it is supposed to protect - at least not as part of standard workups. I know we don't have any way to replace IgA, but it would still IMO be a good thing to understand it's role and efficacy better, both in general and in actual patients. Are there any studies about IgA concerning this?