{
  "id": 194345,
  "title": "Nanowires restore key functions in aging T cells",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/05/nanowires-restore-key-functions-in-aging-t-cells",
  "topic": "science",
  "section": "Science",
  "published": "2026-08-05T21:30:02.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Phys.org",
    "slug": "phys-org",
    "url": "https://phys.org/news/2026-08-nanowires-key-functions-aging-cells.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "For years, scientists have accepted the gradual weakening of the immune system as people age. Georgia Tech biomedical engineer Ankur Singh, however, was not convinced. The COVID-19 pandemic prompted Singh to recognize the severity of this issue when he observed older adults struggling to recover from the virus. Singh, a professor at the Parker H. Petit Institute for Bioengineering and Bioscience, likened this to the immune system of cancer patients, noting that the aging immune system was unable to respond effectively to new infections. He emphasized that immune aging is a central issue in many health problems and that there are fewer solutions available.\n\nPublished in Cell Biomaterials, Singh and his team studied T cells, the immune system's primary defenders against viruses, abnormal cells, and early signs of cancer. As we age, the body produces fewer new T cells, and older ones become less effective. Rather than attempting to reverse the aging process, the researchers aimed to restore some of the lost functions in aging T cells. They delivered new biological instructions into T cells using microscopic silicon nanowires, achieving over 90% delivery without causing damage. These signals acted like instructions to reset the cells' internal programs, invigorating exhausted cells and allowing them to behave more like younger immune cells.\n\nThe treated cells became more active, multiplied, and regained their ability to attack infected and cancerous cells. Singh was surprised to find that fixing just four or five genes was enough to bring T cells closer to a younger state. The team tested immune cells from healthy older adults, cancer survivors, and patients with cancer, observing improved T cell function across all groups. The effects persisted for approximately two weeks, and the researchers are working to extend this longevity. The technique has potential applications in various conditions, including cancer, infection, inflammatory bowel disease, and autoimmunity. Ultimately, the goal is to enable the immune system to better respond to infections, vaccines, and overall lead to healthier lives with fewer illnesses.",
  "summary": "For decades, scientists have accepted that the immune system naturally weakens with age. Georgia Tech biomedical engineer and Carl Ring Family Professor Ankur Singh wasn't convinced. Then the COVID-19 pandemic made the stakes impossible to ignore.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}