Genetics of a group of immune proteins

The immune system is our defense system. Lots of different proteins make up this system. Together, they help protect us from things that can make us sick. Some proteins fight infections. Others prevent bacteria from making us sick. One group of proteins works to protect us from certain types of viruses. Viruses have genetic material. Some viruses make a DNA copy of their genetic material. And then put it into our DNA. This can make us sick. But our group of proteins can edit copies of the viral DNA. The viruses cannot put the edited version into our DNA. But, these same proteins can also cause problems. If they edit our DNA by mistake, they cause changes. The changes are often fixed by other proteins. If they are not fixed, they could cause a disease. Like cancer. We found changes in certain genes linked to breast cancers. Researchers at Vanderbilt University Medical Center will use BioVU to study the gene changes. They will look for patients who have the gene changes. Then they will check for a link between the gene changes and diseases. The goal is to learn more about the gene changes. And about the diseases they might cause. Their results may help us find better ways to treat these diseases.