Email Print Share

News From the Field

Molecular 'kiss of death' flags pathogens


September 28, 2015

This material is available primarily for archival purposes. Telephone numbers or other contact information may be out of date; please see current contact information at media contacts.

Disease-causing microorganisms hide in protective bubbles on the cell surface called vacuoles, making it difficult for the immune system to recognize and destroy them without causing harm to the rest of the cell. A Duke University team has found that the body marks pathogen-containing vacuoles for destruction with a molecule called ubiquitin, commonly known as the "kiss of death." The finding could lead to new therapeutics that boost the immune system's response to pathogens.Full Story

Source
Duke University

The U.S. National Science Foundation propels the nation forward by advancing fundamental research in all fields of science and engineering. NSF supports research and people by providing facilities, instruments and funding to support their ingenuity and sustain the U.S. as a global leader in research and innovation. With a fiscal year 2023 budget of $9.5 billion, NSF funds reach all 50 states through grants to nearly 2,000 colleges, universities and institutions. Each year, NSF receives more than 40,000 competitive proposals and makes about 11,000 new awards. Those awards include support for cooperative research with industry, Arctic and Antarctic research and operations, and U.S. participation in international scientific efforts.

mail icon Get News Updates by Email 

Connect with us online
NSF website: nsf.gov
NSF News: nsf.gov/news
For News Media: nsf.gov/news/newsroom
Statistics: nsf.gov/statistics/
Awards database: nsf.gov/awardsearch/

Follow us on social
Twitter: twitter.com/NSF
Facebook: facebook.com/US.NSF
Instagram: instagram.com/nsfgov