In Print

Graham Ramsay

Signal Gives Green Light to Immune Forces
In a recent trilogy of papers, most recently in the July 26 Nature, (clockwise from top right) Vijay Kuchroo, Estelle Bettelli, Mohamed Oukka, Thomas Korn, and colleagues have found that the immune system protein interleukin-6 serves as a sensitive toggle between the body’s status quo and immune defense. Their work illustrates the reciprocal relationship between two types of immune cell, regulatory T cells and effectors known as Th17 cells. Interleukin-6 (IL-6), a cytokine produced upon infection, determines the fate of these two cell types. So crucial is IL-6’s immunologic role that a “backup plan” exists in case the cytokine is absent.

Upcoming

HMS Office of Enrichment Programs

Celebration of Student Research Open House

Tuesday, Oct. 2
5–6 p.m.
Reception to follow

Lab Works

A multimedia site featuring Harvard Medical research.

Spotlight

Graham Ramsay

Cardozo Assumes Leadership Roles in DMS
Now serving the HMS Division of Medical Sciences as assistant dean for graduate studies, David Cardozo will become associate dean on Nov. 1.

Student Scene

Graham Ramsay

Practice Beyond the Safety Net
Now working in a community health center in Los Angeles, Ellen Rothman says the care she and her colleagues can give is severely limited by the economic and insurance status of their patients. The health care safety net doesn’t exist for most of them.

StudenTalk

Personal takes on issues inside and outside the classroom.

Science Progress

A new HMS site tracing progress in health care through funding, science, and discovery.