New research shows the body’s defense system turns its own RNA into a weapon

When a virus attacks, we imagine our body fighting back against an invading army. But what if the signal that calls our defenses to action doesn’t come from the virus — but from our own cells?

Siddharth Balachandran, PhD Professor Director, Center for Immunology

💬 What the Scientists Say

“We were astonished to find that the cell’s own RNA — not the virus — is what triggers the alarm,” said Dr. Siddharth Balachandran, the study’s senior author.
“This changes how we think about immunity. Our cells can detect when they’re being manipulated — and they’d rather die than let the virus win.”