Immunology

8 results.

December 9, 2025 Study reveals how dietary restriction helps fuel cancer-fighting immune cells

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (Dec. 9, 2025) — Reducing calorie intake helps cancer-fighting immune cells do their jobs more effectively, reports a study by Van Andel Institute

August 5, 2025 ‘Sweet’ discovery reveals how glucose fuels cancer-fighting immune cells

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (Aug. 5, 2025) — For cancer- and infection-fighting T cells, glucose offers far more than a simple sugar rush.

A new discovery by…

June 27, 2025 Releasing a molecular ‘brake’ may help immune cells better fight cancer

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (June 27, 2025) — Van Andel Institute scientists and collaborators have discovered a potential treatment target that may re-energize dysfunctional or “exhausted” immune…

August 22, 2024 Immune cells have a metabolic backup plan for accessing their anti-cancer playbook

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (Aug. 22, 2024) — Immune cells use two different routes to produce acetyl-CoA, an essential metabolite required to fight infection and cancer, reports…

June 3, 2024 Immune cells swap snacks and trade information to do their jobs. Can we help them be more effective?

Dr. Russell Jones spends a lot of time thinking about what our cells eat.

As a scientist who studies the interaction between the immune…

July 28, 2023 Alternative cellular ‘fuels’ boost immunity

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (July 28, 2023) — A metabolic by-product that is more prevalent during fasting may supercharge immune cells as they fight infection and…

May 17, 2020 Releasing molecular ‘brake’ kick-starts immune cell function

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (May 18, 2020) — The immune system’s ability to marshal specialized cells to fight off infection relies in part on tiny molecules…

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,…