Foreign DNA is a danger signal for mammalian cells (2009-2013)
Abstract
Viruses contain a small number of proteins, and genetic material - DNA or RNA. The rapid evolution of viruses makes detection of them a challenge, but cells in our body have ways of recognising viral DNA and RNA. The cells may become activated to fight the infection, or may die to prevent the spread of infection. The aim of this project is to understand the mechanism by which cells recognise introduced or infectious DNA. A breakthrough in preliminary work has defined a family of proteins which bind foreign DNA and initiate some responses. This work is relevant to improving treatments for viral infections and the autoimmune disease lupus, and also to DNA-based therapies and production of proteins in biotechnology.'',
