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Scientists find new part of our immune system

Immune System - Level 4

Scientists have found a new part of our immune system. It could help our body fight disease. Researchers in Israel told the BBC the discovery "could provide an untapped source of natural antibiotics". Dr Yifat Merbl said: "These findings pave the way for [new] strategies in the fight against infectious diseases." The "new" part of the immune system is from a bodily function that recycles proteins. It can produce chemicals that kill bacteria and viruses.

The researchers focused on amino acid compounds that keep our immune system strong. These could provide new therapies for infectious diseases and compromised immunity. They could defend against bacteria and halt their growth. Dr Merbl said: "We discovered a novel mechanism of immunity that is allowing us to have a defence against bacterial infection." She added: "It's happening throughout our body, in all the cells."

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Immune System - Level 5

Scientists have discovered an unknown part of our immune system. It could be important in helping our body fight disease. The researchers are from a science institute in Israel. Dr Yifat Merbl told the BBC the discovery "could provide an untapped source of natural antibiotics". She wrote in a journal: "These findings pave the way for previously undescribed diagnostic and therapeutic strategies in the fight against infectious diseases." The "new" part of the immune system is from a bodily function that recycles proteins. It is capable of producing chemicals that can kill bacteria and viruses.

The researchers focused on peptides. These are amino acid compounds that keep our immune system strong. The scientists said peptides could provide "therapeutic interventions in infectious diseases and immune-compromised conditions". Peptides help to create defences against bacteria and halt their growth. Dr Merbl said: "We discovered a novel mechanism of immunity that is allowing us to have a defence against bacterial infection." She added: "It's happening throughout our body, in all the cells, and generates a whole new class of potential natural antibiotics."

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11 online activities    |    8-page printable   (PDF)

Immune System - Level 6

Scientists have discovered a previously unknown part of our immune system. They say their discovery could be important in helping our body fight diseases. The researchers are from the Weizmann Institute of Science in Israel. Professor Yifat Merbl told the BBC that her team's finding "could provide an untapped source of natural antibiotics". The team wrote in the journal "Nature": "These findings pave the way for previously undescribed diagnostic and therapeutic strategies in the fight against infectious diseases." The "new" part of the immune system is from a bodily function that recycles proteins. The scientists say it is capable of producing a multitude of chemicals that can kill bacteria and viruses.

The researchers focused on peptides in their study. These are compounds that consist of two or more amino acids that help to keep our immune system strong. The scientists wrote that peptides could provide "biotechnological applications and therapeutic interventions in infectious diseases and immunocompromised conditions". Peptides help the immune system to create defences against bacteria and help to halt their growth. Professor Merbl said: "We discovered a novel mechanism of immunity that is allowing us to have a defence against bacterial infection." She added: "It's happening throughout our body, in all the cells, and generates a whole new class of potential natural antibiotics."

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25 online activities    |    27-page printable    |    2-page mini-lesson