Discovery may help us combat common illnesses like flu

Scientists at Trinity College Dublin have discovered how the body fights infection, and this may pave the way for potential new means of battling common illnesses, such as flu.

The work of the team at TCD, led by assistant professor of immunology, Dr Nigel Stevenson, could restore our natural immunity to a spectrum of viruses, including those that have developed resistance.

According to the researchers, during any viral infection, human cells produce an immune molecule, called interferon, which ‘interferes’ with the battle plans of attacking viruses, preventing them from replicating in our bodies.