●Focus on Regulatory T cells. Nature Immunology April (2005).

A series of specially commissioned articles that analyse the biology and function of regulatory T cells. The Web Focus, free in April 2005, also includes highlights of recent research, an annotated list of landmark articles and links to selected Nature Publishing Group papers relevant to this field. For more information, visit: http://www.nature.com/ni/focus/regulatory_tcells/

●The need for natural killer T cells. MacDonald, H. R. & Schümann, J. Nature Medicine March (2005)

This News and Views article discusses how the absence of natural killer T cells might be responsible for the immune disorder X-linked lymphoproliferative disease.

●Coupling and cross-presentation. Heath, W. R. & Carbone, F. R. Nature 3 March (2005)

According to recent in vitro work, the immune system might use intercellular pores to convey information that is important in initiating antiviral responses and in limiting the spread of infections.

●Gut-level decisions in peace and war. Rescigno, M. & Chieppa, M. Nature Medicine March (2005)

Two recent studies provide further insight into how immune cells in the gut tolerate commensal bacteria but can attack pathogens.

●Insights into host responses against pathogens from transcriptional profiling. Jenner, R. G. & Young, R. A. Nature Reviews Microbiology April (2005)

Identifying the host transcriptional response to pathogens could be one step towards personalized health care. From an analysis of 32 published studies, the authors show, for example, that Toll-like receptors are important for both common and pathogen-specific programmes of gene expression.

●Mechanisms of B-cell lymphoma pathogenesis. Küppers, R. Nature Reviews Cancer April (2005)

●Research funding, partnership and strategy – a UK perspective. Walport, M. J. & Lynn, D. W. Nature Reviews Molecular Cell Biology April (2005)

How can we sustain or increase research funding in the UK? How should the UK funding agencies dispense money? And how can we optimize the partnership arrangements for the funding of research in the UK?

●Towards safe, non-viral therapeutic gene expression in humans. Glover, D. J., Lipps, H. J. & Jans, D. A. Nature Reviews Genetics April (2005)

The potential risks associated with virus-mediated gene transfer to humans, such as the insertional mutagenesis that occurred during a clinical trial for the treatment of X-linked severe combined immunodeficiency, have led to a search for safe, stable and effective alternatives.

●Refolding the envelope. Kwong, P. D. Nature 24 February (2005)

A discussion of how refolding of the exterior HIV glycoprotein gp120 can help it to evade neutralization by human antibodies.