Natural cellular cytotoxicity in tumour surveillance and immunity to infections

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We try to find out how white blood cells called natural killer (NK) cells fight microbes and tumours. We know that NK cells have a natural tendency to kill infected and tumour cells in the test tube, however it is difficult to study these mechanisms in the human body. So we use mice in our research, because their immune defences are well defined and fairly similar to ours. By modelling human diseases in laboratory mice, we are gaining important insights into how to harness the potential of our natural resources to fight infections and cancer. For example, we have identified a single gene that regulates the killer cell’s action and protects against viral infections and blood-born cancer. We are now trying to discover how NK cells attack a type of skin cancer known as melanoma. By learning more about how our natural defences work, we will be able to think of more effective cures against infection and cancer.