- 2017
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Press releases - 22.12.2017
An international study identifies new loci associated with asthma wich are enriched in epigenetic marks
An international study led by scientists from Inserm and Paris Diderot University (France), the University of Chicago (USA), the National Heart and Lung Institute (UK) and the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus (USA) together with researchers of the Trans-National Asthma Genetics Consortium (TAGC) has discovered five new regions of the genome that increase the risk of asthma. This study is published online in Nature Genetics on 22 December 2017.
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News in brief - 22.12.2017
What is the Origin of Human Social Intelligence?
In humans, “Theory of Mind” is the ability to understand others’ mental states: what they think, what they feel, what they desire, what they love, etc. It plays a major role in human social interactions. But where did this ability evolve from? What type of selection pressure ultimately led to this being imparted on the […]
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Press releases - 22.12.2017
Vaccines: Good News for Our Children!
Reluctance, or indeed mistrust, towards immunization, is an understandable sentiment, particularly among young parents when their babies are about to be immunized. While this principle may currently seem less vital, or even optional, to parents who no longer face the same tragedies arising from infection as in the past, it nonetheless remains an essential public health measure.
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What's on? - 22.12.2017
Vaccines: Good News for Our Children!
Reluctance, or indeed mistrust, towards immunization, is an understandable sentiment, particularly among young parents when their babies are about to be immunized. While this principle may currently seem less vital, or even optional, to parents who no longer face the same tragedies arising from infection as in the past, it nonetheless remains an essential public health […]
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Press releases - 21.12.2017
Microbiome Influences Brain’s Immune Cells in a Sex and Age-dependent manner
A joint study conducted by Inserm researchers from IBENS (Institute of Biology of the Ecole Normale Supérieure – Inserm/CNRS/ENS Paris) in Paris and researchers from SIgN (Singapore Immunology Network, A*STAR) in Singapore has revealed a hitherto undiscovered role played by the microbiota on immune cells in the brain, occurring from the fetal stage. These cells, known as microglia, play a key role in brain development and function, and are affected in different ways by changes in the microbiota in male and female mice at different stages of their lives. The results of this research have been published in Cell.
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Press releases - 20.12.2017
The first French cell therapy trial in a form of retinitis pigmentosa on the horizon
A team of scientists led by Christelle Monville (professor at University of Evry) at I-Stem, the laboratory created by AFM-Téléthon, University of Evry and Inserm, in partnership with the team led by Olivier Goureau, Inserm Research Director within the Institute of Vision, has managed to improve vision in rats with retinitis pigmentosa, by transplanting a cell bandage obtained from human embryonic stem cells. The results published today in Science Translational Medicine, notably achieved thanks to Téléthon donations, pave the way for cell therapy retinitis pigmentosa, but also for very common retinal degenerative diseases, such as certain forms of age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
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Press releases - 20.12.2017
Gene Therapy Cures Hemophilia
Hemophilia is a serious hereditary disease that prevents the blood from clotting. This means that, in the event of a wound, bleeding doesn’t stop or is extremely difficult to stop.
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What's on? - 20.12.2017
Gene Therapy Cures Hemophilia
Hemophilia is a serious hereditary disease that prevents the blood from clotting. This means that, in the event of a wound, bleeding doesn’t stop or is extremely difficult to stop. There are two types of hemophilia: – Hemophilia A, the more common form, is linked to a deficiency in clotting factor VIII – Hemophilia B, […]
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Press releases - 20.12.2017
A new therapeutic target in allergic asthma
Vincent Sauzeau, Inserm researcher and his team located at the Nantes Thorax Institute[1] (Inserm, CNRS, University of Nantes, Nantes University Hospital) have recently discovered the major role played by the Rac1 protein in the development of bronchial hyperresponsiveness associated with allergic asthma. Researchers will use this new therapeutic target to reduce bronchoconstriction and pulmonary inflammation in patients. This article has been published in The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology.
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Press releases - 18.12.2017
What does science say about the eleven vaccines that will be mandatory for all children in France starting in 2018? INSERM has just published an official report.
In the context of the extension of mandatory vaccination that will go into effect in 2018, immunization is becoming a topic of public debate. People are often ill-informed, basing their opinions on the catastrophist arguments of anti-vaccine lobbies and the lack of relevant training on the part of medical professionals. France has become one of the countries where defiance against vaccination is at its strongest worldwide. The controversy is happening despite the facts that the mandatory vaccinations match the current immunization calendar and that no additional vaccines have been added. The purpose of this measure is to ensure that children are actually receiving the vaccines that are scheduled for all children.