Immunity gene found

CSIRO researchers have discovered a new gene that could lead to treatments for cancer, arthritis and influenza.

The gene, called C6, plays a critical role in regulating the body’s immune response to infection and disease, and it could help scientists develop more targeted therapies for a variety of diseases.

A team at the government research agency have found the gene regulates the production of proteins called cytokines to stop our immune system from spiralling out of control – cytokines work to prevent diseases by stopping viruses from replicating.

Although C6 has existed for 500 million years, its importance has only been understood through new research.

The scientists made the “lucky” find while researching the deadly Hendra virus after they were moved to action by an episode of Australian Story on the ABC a decade ago.

Vet Ben Cunneen died in 2008 after contracting the rare disease from a sick horse, inspiring the researchers to find a treatment.

Now, a public appeal has been launched to help name the gene, whose longer moniker is C6orf106. The public have been invited to make a suggestion at www.csiro.au/ namethegene.