High-Throughput, Fast, and Sensitive Immunopeptidomics Sample Processing for Mass Spectrometry.

Comprehensive knowledge of the HLA class I and class II peptides presented to T cells is crucial for designing innovative therapeutics against cancer and other diseases. So far, methodologies for recovery of HLA class I and II peptides for subsequent mass spectrometry-based analysis have been a major limitation. In this chapter we describe a detailed protocol for a high-throughput, reproducible, and sensitive immunoaffinity-purification of HLA-I and HLA-II peptides from up to 96 samples in a plate format, suitable for tissue samples and cell lines. Our methodology reduces sample handling, has a competitive peptide yield, and can be completed within 5 h. This simplified pipeline is applicable for basic and clinical applications

A role for systems epidemiology in tuberculosis research

Despite being a curable disease, tuberculosis (TB) killed more people in 2009 than during any previous year in history. Progress in TB research has been slow, and remains burdened by important gaps in our knowledge of the basic biology of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the causative agent of TB, and its interaction with the human host. Fortunately, major systems biology initiatives have recently been launched that will help fill some of these gaps. However, to fully comprehend TB and control this disease globally, current systems biological approaches will not suffice. The influence of host and pathogen diversity, changes in human demography, and socioeconomic and environmental factors will also need to be considered. Such a multidisciplinary approach might be best described as 'systems epidemiology' in an effort to overcome the traditional boundaries between basic biology and classical epidemiolog

Usage des ouvrages de correction torrentielle et plages de dépôt : origine, état des lieux, perspectives

International audienceLarge operations of torrent control works in the most active catchments have been launched in France by the 1882’s mountain areas restoration policy, based on older pioneer works. It first implemented headwater soil and erosion control structures and plantations, although protection structures closer from assets were built on alluvial fans to trap sediment and channelize flows. Soil erosion and the related torrential hazard mitigation continue to be financed by public grants to maintain existing systems and, if necessary, build new ones. The environmental, socio-economic and technical contexts of risk management have changed. The current use of check dams and open check dams in protection strategies may consequently need an update. This paper firstly reviews the historical emergence of check dams and open check dams. It secondly lists their function, i.e., the qualitative effect we can expect they have on hazards in the light of 150 years of tests and trials. The last section gives some perspectives on the use of these structures: why, although complicated and expensive, it worth maintaining some headwater structures? When is it justified to abandon or even dismantled some structures? And finally what seems to be the future way of designing and planning these structures, especially the open check dams?La correction torrentielle des torrents les plus actifs a été lancée en France par la politique de restauration des terrains en montagne de 1882 sur la base de travaux pionniers plus anciens. Elle a d'abord mis à profit la correction active des hauts bassins par la lutte contre l'érosion à la source mais a aussi accompagné le développement de la protection passive des enjeux par le piégeage et la canalisation des écoulements dans les zones aval. Cette lutte contre l'érosion et les risques torrentiels induits fait toujours l'objet d'investissements publics pour entretenir les systèmes de protection existants et, si nécessaire, en construire de nouveaux. Les contextes environnementaux, socio-économiques et techniques d'implantation et de gestion de ces systèmes de protection ont évolué. Il y a donc matière à s'interroger sur l'usage actuel qui est fait des ouvrages de correction torrentielle et des plages de dépôts, ouvrages spécifiques au contexte torrentiel. Cet article rappelle en premier lieu un historique de leur émergence. La seconde partie liste les fonctions de ces ouvrages : quels effets qualitatifs pouvons-nous espérer de ces structures à la lumière de plus de 150 ans d'expérience ? La dernière partie donne quelques perspectives concernant l'usage de ces ouvrages : pourquoi faut-il maintenir un part de correction active malgré les difficultés associées ? Qu'est-ce qui peut justifier d'abandonner ou de détruire certains ouvrages ? Quelles nouvelles approches semblent émerger dans la conception de ces ouvrages, et plus particulièrement des plages de dépôt modernes