ImmuKnow+ is a science publication designed and produced by the Vanderbilt Institute for Infection, Immunology and Inflammation (VI4). All articles are written by Vanderbilt affiliated students, faculty, and staff from various interdisciplinary departments. Our goal is to develop accessible, varied content to inform and educate the public on scientific discoveries and advances within VI4 and its collaborators through a multimedia platform. This publication aims to foster education in science, increase public engagement, and enhance communication between active researchers and the public.
Eric Skaar & Catherine Leasure - VI4 Scientists Doing Things
Dr. Eric Skaar and graduate student Catherine Leasure showcase their artistic talents with Perler bead kits while we asked them some questions about their research..click the image on the left to watch!
Rachel Bonami & Lindsay Bass - VI4 Scientists Doing Things
Dr. Rachel Bonami and graduate student Lindsay Bass challenged each other to a pipette race while we asked them some questions about their research...click the image on the left to watch!
Katherine Gibson-Corley & Rachael Wolters - VI4 Scientists Doing Things
Dr. Katherine Gibson-Corley and graduate student Dr. Rachael Wolters make friendship bracelets and chat about the Translational Pathology Shared Resource (TPSR)...click the image on the left to watch!
The evolution of mRNA vaccines alongside SARS-COV-2
SARS-CoV-2 has mutated and evolved to partially evade the immune response generated from prior vaccination or infection. The development of mRNA technology allows for rapid reprogramming of the coding sequence to modify the immune response mounted by the vaccine. Although the long-term trajectory for vaccination recommendations remain unclear, the advanced mRNA vaccine technology allows for the combination and modulation of the targeted sequence to modify the potency of the immune response.... continue reading.
SARS-CoV-2 evolution and implications for immunity
While COVID-19 is no longer plaguing media outlets, the virus remains a serious threat to human health. Since the discovery of SARS-CoV-2, the virus and its transmissibility evolved. The Omicron variant is the dominant circulating virus that causes COVID-19 in the United States and is capable of evading pre-existing immunity, causing serious public health concern. In fact, the greatest number of COVID-19 related hospitalizations occurred during the first Omicron wave. With high burdens of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and influenza this season, it is important to remain vigilant and take steps to prevent severe COVID-19 illness.....continue reading.
Kristen Ogden & Sydni Smith - VI4 Scientists Doing Things
Dr. Kristen Ogden and graduate student Sydni Smith build their own viruses while we asked them some questions about their research...click the image on the left to watch!
Wenhan Zhu & Ryan Fansler - VI4 Scientists Doing Things
Dr. Wenhan Zhu and graduate student Ryan Fansler challenged each other to a pipette race while we asked them some questions about their research...click the image on the left to watch!
Tim Cover & Chiamaka Okoye - VI4 Scientists Doing Things
Professor Tim Cover and graduate student Chiamaka Okoye show off their artistic talents while we asked them some questions about their research...click the image on the left to watch!
Monkeypox – what do we know about the virus, and how can we treat the disease?
Monkeypox – what do we know about the virus, and how can we treat the disease? The monkeypox virus has been studied, and its mechanism of replicating and invading human cells are understood. Due to prior research on orthopoxviruses, there is a test currently available for diagnosing monkeypox. Additionally, antiviral therapies are currently under investigation. Finally, a monkeypox vaccine is approved and available for individuals at high risk for contracting the virus. While monkeypox treatment options continue to be studied, a variety of medical resources currently exist for high-risk individuals as well as those who were recently exposed to monkeypox.
Borden Lacy & Shannon Kordus - VI4 Scientists Doing Things
Professor Borden Lacy and postdoc Shannon Kordus show off their structural expertise with playdough while we asked them some questions about their research.