T-cell transcription factor may offer new pathway for vaccine research
The gold standard for a successful vaccine is the creation of long-lasting antibodies that will defend the body against disease for years. Now, a team headed by scientists at the National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI) has found a promising new area for vaccine developers to explore in search of that gold.
The new discovery involves a protein called a transcription factor - a molecular switch that turns a gene or a cascade of genes on or off. In a series of experiments, the researchers demonstrated that a transcription factor known as TCF1 (for T cell factor-1) is essential for the creation and persistence of disease-fighting antibodies in the bloodstream.
This page was last updated on Friday, January 21, 2022