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Re-Engineering the Immune System

Posted by kdawson on from the immunity-two-point-oh dept.

destinyland notes a microbiology professor describing "Immunity on Demand" (or "Immunity 2.0") and wonders whether we could genetically engineer all the antibodies we need. "...there's a good chance this system, or something like it, will actually be in place within decades. Caltech scientists have already engineered stem cells into B cells that produce HIV-fighting antibodies — and an NIH researcher engineered T cells that recognize tumors which has already had promising clinical trials again skin cancer. Our best hope may be to cut out the middleman. Rather than merely hoping that the vaccine will indirectly lead to the antibody an individual needs, imagine if we could genetically engineer these antibodies and make them available as needed?"

8 of 175 comments (clear)

  1. Someone needs an editor by wrencherd · · Score: 5, Funny

    From TFA:

    "We are not sure when this will all happen, but there’s a good chance it will, and perhaps the only question is when."

    Hmmmmm . . .

    1. Re:Someone needs an editor by osu-neko · · Score: 2, Funny

      From TFA:

      "We are not sure when this will all happen, but there’s a good chance it will, and perhaps the only question is when."

      Hmmmmm . . .

      Very likely it'll be in a couple decades. I remember reading that back in the 80s.

      Oh, wait...

      --
      "Convictions are more dangerous enemies of truth than lies."
  2. Funny phrasing by interkin3tic · · Score: 3, Funny

    Derya Unutmaz is an Associate Professor of Microbiology and Pathology at N.Y.U. School of Medicine. His current research is focused on understanding the function of human immune system.

    I can tell him right now what the function of the human immune system is: to keep us from getting sick.

    I'll take his grant money now.

  3. Obligatory tag... by caladine · · Score: 2, Funny

    whatcouldpossiblygowrong

    On a more serious note, this looks promising. I just hope we don't rush into this. The immune system runs a delicate balance, over response is nearly as dangerous as not enough. More research needed.

  4. I for one by wintercolby · · Score: 2, Funny

    welcome our new zombie overlords.

    --
    Most ignorance is vincible ignorance. We don't know because we don't want to know. --Aldous Huxley
  5. Too much Sci-fi by COMON$ · · Score: 2, Funny

    Maybe I have been reading too much sci-fi lately but arent we closer to using nanotech as an immune system than using biological sources?

    --
    CS: It is all sink or swim...oh and did I mention there are sharks in that water?
  6. auto immune system response by MrKaos · · Score: 4, Funny

    Hey wouldn't it be great if our bodies did this automatically...

    --
    My ism, it's full of beliefs.
  7. Re:I was under the impression by Jurily · · Score: 4, Funny

    I've always wondered whether some day it might be possible to have an implant that wirelessly receives new data definitions of proteins expressed by various pathogens and have it express the protein in a way that will trigger an immune response. Hence, you can automatically update everybody's immunity. Sort of like a computer virus scanner.

    Microsoft Vaccine 2000 is configuring your immune system. This may take a few minutes. If your body stops responding for a long time and there is no brain activity please die. Setup will continue after you are reborn.