Immunology Archives

December 10, 2019 Explainer: What is immunology?

Immunology is the study of the immune system, the body’s natural defenses against infection and disease. The immune system employs numerous defense mechanisms to keep…

November 19, 2019 Severe pregnancy-related depression may be rooted in inflammation

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (Nov. 20, 2019) — A runaway, inflammatory immune response may be responsible for triggering severe depression during and after pregnancy, according to…

October 10, 2019 When studying immune cells, environment matters

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (Oct. 10, 2019) — For years, scientists have used cells grown in petri dishes to study the metabolic processes that fuel the…

October 30, 2018 Appendix identified as a potential starting point for Parkinson’s disease

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (Oct. 31, 2018) — Removing the appendix early in life reduces the risk of developing Parkinson’s disease by 19 to 25 percent,…

September 18, 2018 Van Andel Research Institute launches metabolism and nutrition research program

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (September 19, 2018) — Van Andel Research Institute (VARI) has launched the most comprehensive metabolism and nutrition research program of its kind,…

August 19, 2018 Explainer: What is inflammation?

What is inflammation? Inflammation is the body’s reaction to a harmful stimulus, such as infection with a virus like the flu, an injury like a…

December 5, 2017 Cryo-EM reveals “crown-like” structure of protein responsible for regulating blood flow

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (Dec. 6, 2017)—A team led by scientists at Van Andel Research Institute (VARI) has revealed for the first time the atomic-level structure…

October 11, 2017 Stand Up To Cancer awards $5.5 million to VARI for cancer clinical trials to enhance immunotherapy

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (Oct. 12, 2017)—Van Andel Research Institute–Stand Up To Cancer Epigenetics Dream Team (VARI-SU2C) scientists have been awarded two…