Natural Killer (NK) cells are the innate immune system’s first and best defense against infections. Unlike cytotoxic T cells in the adaptive immune system that require genetic matching with the target cell, NK cells are pre-programmed with cytotoxic granules that can kill any type of infected target cell. The ability to rapidly respond to an…
Did you know that at least 200 different cell types comprise the human body? Each type of cell is specialized to perform a certain function, and together they ensure that your body functions at its full capacity. While each cell type is crucial to sustaining life, one type in particular is essential to medical research:…
Growth factors are essential to immune system research as the mechanism through which we replicate and understand cell proliferation, differentiation, and growth in vitro. There are many growth factors from which to choose for in vitro research, but selecting the right growth factor is not always a clear decision. A Focus on Platelet-Derived Growth Factors…
Activation of immune cells is the all-important first step in mounting an immune response. Immune cell activation is a popular area of research because so much happens that is key to the downstream goal of fighting infection, cancer and disease. There are many ways to measure immune cell activation, and they all have utility. Methods…