Natural killers are cells that recognize and destroy diseased or infected cells.
By studying the behaviour of these critical disease fighters, she hopes to unlock the mysteries of autoimmune diseases, such as arthritis and diabetes. Burshtyn investigates how natural killer cells determine the difference between healthy and diseased cells. Recently Burshtyn's work has been given a substantial boost. The new recruit to the U of A's medical microbiology and immunology department says gaining a clear understanding of inhibitory receptors will have far-reaching implications. If we can understand how cells do these things normally, we can gain insights into how parts of the system can be exploited to regulate and combat diseases.