La Jolla Institute for Immunology

Mpox news: LJI scientists Alessandro Sette, Dr.Biol.Sci., and Alba Grifoni, Ph.D., are leading research to combat the rapidly spreading “clade 1” mpox virus. Their labs are investigating how the mutated “clade 1” mpox virus may affect children and older patients—and how new vaccines can help the body fight back, aiming to guide vaccine development as cases rise.
https://www.lji.org/news-events/news/post/lji-scientists-lead-new-mpox-research/

Are you covering the mpox outbreak? Get in touch with our scientists for up to date facts:
https://www.lji.org/news-events/news/post/san-diego-scientists-available-to-discuss-mutated-mpox-strain/

Take a moment to celebrate an amazing scientist and researcher! Vote for LJI's Daniela Weiskopf, Ph.D., in the San Diego Magazine Celebrating Women Awards! Vote today! 👉https://sandiegomagazine.secondstreetapp.com/cw-noms24/rounds/1/stemrisingstar/

Celebrating Women Nominations 2023 Check it out now!

Infectious disease researcher Onyeka Chukwudozie, a Graduate Student at UC San Diego and member of the Saphire Lab at LJI, has received a prestigious Curci Ph.D. Fellows Award from the Shurl and Kay Curci Foundation. This two-year fellowship will support Chukwudozie’s research into how human antibodies target and neutralize Lassa virus. Chukwudozie’s work will focus on lineages I, II, III, and VI which circulate in Nigeria. He plans to make additional trips to Nigeria to collaborate with local experts and process samples from patients infected with different viral lineages. Congratulations, Onyeka! 🎉💫

Onyeka Chukwudozie receives Curci Ph.D. Fellows Award to advance Lassa virus vaccines Infectious disease researcher Onyeka Chukwudozie, a Graduate Student at UC San Diego and member of the Saphire Lab at La Jolla Institute for Immunology (LJI) has received a prestigious Curci Ph.D. Fellows Award from the Shurl and Kay Curci Foundation. This two-year fellowship will support Chukwudozi...

Listen to the fascinating new Ground Truths podcast from Eric Topol, MD, and LJI Professor and CSO Shane Crotty on the underpinnings of upper airway mucosal immunity. In fact, this is the FIRST time a Ground Truths episode has been published simultaneous with a new publication!

Shane Crotty: A Landmark Study on Upper Airway Mucosal Immunity Listen now (38 mins) | Optimism for Nasal Vaccines for Covid and Other Respiratory Pathogens

A new landmark paper from the Crotty Lab at LJI: scientists have published the first-ever, in-depth analysis of immune cell memory in the upper airways of adult volunteers. “We were finally able to take a closer look at the anatomy of infection—what happens when a virus infects tissues of the upper airway,” says LJI Instructor Sydney Ramirez, M.D., Ph.D., who served as first author of the new Nature study. The experimental approaches developed during this research are broadly applicable for the study of human upper airway mucosal health, disease, and vaccine development. LJI Professor and Chief Scientific Officer Shane Crotty, Ph.D., senior author of the new study explains, “This discovery helps us understand immunity to pathogens and will hopefully help us develop new vaccines against viruses that infect the airway.”

https://www.lji.org/news-events/news/post/lji-scientists-capture-immune-cells-hidden-in-nasal-passages/

LJI scientists capture immune cells hidden in nasal passages LA JOLLA, CA—Scientists at La Jolla Institute for Immunology (LJI) have published the first-ever, in-depth analysis of immune cell memory in the upper airways of adult volunteers. Among these immune cells, the researcher spotted “tissue resident” memory cells, which stand ready to defend the a...

LJI was in full Olympic spirit last week for the opening ceremony during our Happy Hour Summer Olympics! Hosts from the Sette, Peters, Weiskopf, Lindestam Arlehamn, and Grifoni Labs organized a gauntlet of games, including: Pipette Refilling (fill a box of tips the fastest), Pipette Relay (team of 4 transfers liquid to fill container), and the Pipette Long-distance. Special Guest (and LJI Assistant Professor) Tal Einav held a breakdancing lesson in honor of breakdancing being added to the games this year. Winners were honored atop gold, silver, and bronze lab stools 🔵🟡⚫🟢🔴

What do immunologists and graphic designers have in common? As LJI research technician Adam Abawi explains, they both strive to make sense of complicated concepts. “I aim to bridge the gap, helping outside observers understand immunology—and science in general—more effectively,” he says. Read more about the artist behind eye-catching scientific journal covers.

https://www.lji.org/blog/meet-an-artist-behind-eye-catching-scientific-journal-covers/

🚀 Meet the La Jolla Institute Postdoc Association (LPA) Subcommittees & Lab Reps!🚀 Our subcommittees are here to support your career growth (Career Dev), advocate for your benefits (Welfare), organize ethics seminars (RCR), plan fun events (Social), and promote all activities (Comms).
Join us! 💪

🏆Announcing the winners of the 2024 "Wonders of Immunology" Student Art Competition:
✨1st place - Zoey Lestyk, Westview High School - Artwork titled "Lost in the Shower of Autonomy
✨2nd place - Victoria Li, Francis Parker School - Artwork titled "Paper mask"
✨3rd place - Grayson Alvarado, Mira Mesa High School - Artwork titled "Growth"
✨Runner up - Sameeksha Vasi, Del Norte High School - Artwork titled "24/7 Healthcare

The competition winner will receive an engraved plaque and an Ultimate Dual Microscope, manufactured by National Geographic. Congratulations! Read about the amazing pieces from students!

San Diego students bring art and immune system research together Zoey Lestyk, a student at Westview High School, has won first place in the 2024 La Jolla Institute for Immunology (LJI) Wonders of Immunology Art Competition. This annual competition, open to all fifth through twelfth-grade students in San Diego County, encourages young artists to share their perspe...

Happy week, San Diego! 🌈
++ LJI scientists, staff, friends, and families are excited to participate in the Pride 5K and the Parade this Saturday! We can't wait to celebrate the LGBTQIA+ community! 🔬❤️🧡💛💚💙💜🤎🖤🩷🤍🩵
++ Our Institute hosted several on-campus events in the last month, including a great info session on inclusion, identities + experiences! 🏳️‍⚧️
++ And we had a blast at Pride Crafternoon, co-hosted by Q***r Science Society San Diego ! 🎨🏳️‍🌈

Thank you to LJI leadership, LJIdea volunteers ad our partners at Q***r Science Society San Diego for making these efforts possible and sharing their all year around! ***rInSTEM

Exciting new work reveals—in unprecedented detail—how a powerful antibody can neutralize measles virus before it fuses with host cells. When measles virus meets a human cell, the viral machinery unfolds in just the right way to reveal key pieces that let it fuse itself into the host cell membrane. Once the fusion process is complete, the host cell is a goner. It belongs to the virus now. Scientists in the LJI Center for Vaccine Innovation are working to develop new measles vaccines and therapeutics that stop this fusion process. Read more:
https://www.lji.org/news-events/news/post/a-promising-weapon-against-measles/

A promising weapon against measles LA JOLLA, CA—What happens when measles virus meets a human cell? The viral machinery unfolds in just the right way to reveal key pieces that let it fuse itself into the host cell membrane. Once the fusion process is complete, the host cell is a goner. It belongs to the virus now. Scientists in the...

We are thrilled to welcome a new class of summer interns to the 2024 LJIdea Internship Program! Thank you to the supporters, mentors, and scientists who came to this morning's White Coat Ceremony at LJI! Let the research begin!

A new LJI study, published recently in Nature Immunology, is the first to show a link between “stem-like” T cells and ulcerative colitis in human patients. “We’ve found a population of T cells that may be important in disease—and may contribute to relapse in patients with ulcerative colitis,” says LJI William K. Bowes Distinguished Professor Pandurangan Vijayanand, M.D., Ph.D., who co-led the study with LJI Professor Mitchell Kronenberg, Ph.D. The researchers hope to one day target this T cell population via drug therapy. “These cells may be a very important target for treating ulcerative colitis and perhaps other autoimmune diseases,” says Kronenberg.

https://ow.ly/xIkG50SnCvh

New research points to ‘stem-like’ T cells as culprits in ulcerative colitis LA JOLLA, CA—Scientists at La Jolla Institute for Immunology (LJI) have shed light on how an unusual population of T cells may drive harmful inflammation in people with ulcerative colitis, an autoimmune disease that causes damage to the large intestine. Their new study, published recently in Natur...

Congratulations to LJI Instructor Sydney Ramirez, MD, Ph.D., who has won the prestigious Burroughs Wellcome Fund Career Award for Medical Scientists in recognition of her critical research into how the human immune system and cells in the upper airway respond to SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. "Very few people—and very few clinician scientists—get this award," says LJI Professor and Chief Scientific Officer Shane Crotty, Ph.D. "This award really speaks to how important Sydney's research has been and the promise for her career going forward." The award goes to outstanding early-career researchers who have demonstrated exceptional promise in the field of medical science, and comes with substantial research funding to support innovative research and advance human health. Congrats! 🎉
https://www.lji.org/news-events/news/post/sydney-ramirez-receives-prestigious-burroughs-wellcome-fund-career-award/

Congratulations to LJI Postdoc Isaac López-Moyado, Ph.D., who has been awarded the Fred Hutch 2024 Dr. Eddie Méndez Scholar Award, which recognizes exceptional postdoctoral researchers from historically underrepresented groups in science! Read more here:

Fred Hutch announces eight recipients of 2024 Dr. Eddie Méndez Scholar Award National award recognizes exceptional postdoctoral researchers from historically underrepresented groups in science

We are proud to celebrate LGBTQIA+ scientists, staff, and students this ! 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️ If you are on the LJI campus, come visit the Pride flower display in the atrium and learn a little about the diversity of LGBTQIA+ identities! Our events include an info session on transgender identities on June 25th, a Pride Crafternoon on June 28th in partnership with Q***rScienceSan Diego, and we'll also be at the San Diego Pride 5K and on July 20! 🥳

Exciting news: In recognition of her exceptional research track record, LJI Research Assistant Professor Daniela Weiskopf, Ph.D., has been appointed to a tenure-track Assistant Professor position 🎉. Weiskopf’s laboratory studies protective and maladapted immune responses to emerging infectious diseases. “LJI has been my scientific home for many years and the place where my research could flourish,” says Weiskopf. “I feel truly honored to be joining the ranks of tenure-track faculty, and my commitment to the Institute is just as strong as the commitment the Institute has shown by promoting me.” Congrats!!! Read more about Dr. Weiskopf's impactful work here:
https://www.lji.org/news-events/news/post/daniela-weiskopf-appointed-assistant-professor/

Filmmaker Matt Ellenbogen captures a unique side of science—watch the full LJI documentary that made it to the Golden State Film Festival and Hollywood's historic Chinese Theater.

Specialty Finishing, a Life Without Disease documentary This short documentary is about a San Diego based craftsperson who is bravely facing her rheumatoid arthritis diagnosis. The film was a finalist at the Golde...

In this short documentary, LJI Creative Producer Matt Ellenbogen, introduces us to a San Diego based craftsperson who is bravely facing her rheumatoid arthritis diagnosis. Matt doesn’t use medical imagery to illustrate this story. Instead, he captures Kat in her day-to-day work. With each dab of paint and purposeful brushstroke, Kat demonstrates the life-changing power of research. The film was accepted and screened as a finalist on Feb. 25, 2024 in the 2024 Golden State Film Festival at the historic Chinese Theater on Hollywood Blvd. “So often, stories about disease are focused on the negative,” says LJI Creative Producer Matthew Ellenbogen. “But [Kat's] story is really a story of modern medicine and basic research leading to treatments for people—that let them live the life that they want to live.” What does Life Without Disease mean to you? To Kat it means she can continue to do the work she loves and live without fear of Rheumatoid Arthritis. Watch the full video with the link in our bio.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=geJPP5vOLQo&t=1s

Read more about the project:
https://www.lji.org/blog/filmmaker-matthew-ellenbogen-captures-a-unique-side-of-science/

Filmmaker Matthew Ellenbogen captures a unique side of science Filmmaker Matthew Ellenbogen is out to capture the hidden side of immune system research. As Creative Producer at La Jolla Institute for Immunology (LJI) Ellenbogen strives to show the hard work that goes on in LJI laboratories—and make a case for why this research deserves support. This mission i...

LJI scientists are developing a new method to match genes to their molecular ‘switches’, helping to hunt down solid tumors and better diagnose disease. “This research is about bringing a three-dimensional perspective to studying DNA modifications and their function in our genome,” says LJI Associate Professor Ferhat Ay, Ph.D., who co-led the study with LJI Professor Anjana Rao, Ph.D.

https://www.lji.org/news-events/news/post/lji-scientists-develop-new-method-to-match-genes-to-their-molecular-switches/

New research suggests people who received COVID-19 vaccines and then experienced “breakthrough” infections are especially well armed against future SARS-CoV-2 infections. By analyzing blood samples from study volunteers, LJI researchers discovered that people who experienced symptomatic breakthrough infections develop T cells that are better at recognizing and targeting SARS-CoV-2, including the Omicron and Delta variants. The researchers describe this increased protection as an “immunity wall.”


https://www.lji.org/news-events/news/post/how-covid-19-breakthrough-infections-alter-your-immune-cells/

LJI Professor Hilde Cheroutre, Ph.D., has been named a Distinguished Fellow by the American Association of Immunologists. Cheroutre has advanced our understanding of how immune cells at “mucosal interfaces” defend the body against pathogens and cancers. Her work has revealed how defects in the self-education of T cells can drive autoimmune diseases and other debilitating inflammatory conditions. This honor recognizes Cheroutre’s impact in the scientific world, as well as her service to the immunology community. Congratulations, Hilde!💫
https://www.lji.org/blog/hilde-cheroutre-named-aai-distinguished-fellow/

🎢 Life as a research tech can be a roller coaster! LJI's Patrick Kennedy shares his unique experience as the first member of the Myers Lab at LJI, starting as an and carving out his path through the ups and downs.
https://www.lji.org/blog/stop-rethink-research/

An excellent new talk from LJI postdoc Priyanka Saminathan, Ph.D., on why women are more likely to develop Alzheimers disease. Thank you Fleet Science Center for featuring these important findings on in the immune system.

Why Are Women More Likely to Develop Alzheimer’s Disease? - Priyanka Saminathan, Ph.D. Priyanka Saminathan, Ph.D., is an early-career postdoctoral fellow at La Jolla Institute for Immunology, San Diego, California, under the guidance of Dr. Son...

We are proud to share that TIME Health has named Carolee Lee, LJI Board Member and founder of WHAMnow, to the , recognizing her as one of the top 100 most influential people in global health. Her mission is to break down gender bias in medicine and advocate for investments in research involving and differentiating women. Learn how she’s working to accomplish this: https://time.com/6968414/carolee-lee-1

Alison Tarke, formatasi all'Università di Genova e ora ricercatrice post-dottorato presso l'Istituto di Immunologia di La Jolla, in California, ha ricevuto dal MAECI il premio "Science, she says" (ed. 2024) come riconoscimento del suo lavoro per rafforzare i legami tra scienziati in Italia e negli Stati Uniti.
👉👉 https://life.unige.it/alison-tarke

The Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation has named Alison Tarke, Ph.D., a postdoctoral researcher at La Jolla Institute for Immunology (LJI), the North American winner of the “Science, She Says! Award” (ed. 2024) in recognition of her work to strengthen ties between scientists in Italy and the United States. This award is given to an early career, female scientist each year.
👉👉 https://life.unige.it/en/alison-tarke

📸 LJI Postdoctoral Research Alison Tarke, Ph.D. (left) with LJI Professor Alessandro Sette, Dr.Biol.Sci. (Credit: Matthew Ellenbogen, LJI Creative Producer)

La Jolla Institute for Immunology

Congratulations to LJI Postdoc Alison Tarke, Ph.D., the North American winner of the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation's “Science, She Says! Award!” Tarke established important U.S.-Italy research collaborations amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. “It’s really amazing to be at the beginning of my career and to have already worked with so many impressive leaders in science who also happen to be Italian,” says Tarke.

https://www.lji.org/news-events/news/post/lji-scientist-alison-tarke-honored-by-italian-government/

Ministero degli Affari Esteri e della Cooperazione Internazionale
Università degli Studi di Genova

Our latest LJI Immune Matters Magazine cover presented a fun challenge: How to represent data science and analysis in a unique way? We landed on using origami as a metaphor for showing how scientists can harness new tools and combine data points to reveal something totally new. A huge thank you to origami artist Christine Ott for bringing this concept to life! You can explore the full magazine online now: mag.lji.org

Origami art by Christine Ott
Multimedia: Matt Ellenbogen, LJI Creative Producer

Scientists at La Jolla Institute for Immunology have created crucial databases and analysis tools used around the world. Learn how these vital resources may help stop the next pandemic:
https://mag.lji.org/spring-2024/data-in-the-real-world/

LJI trainee news: Rimjhim Agarwal, an LJI Chikungunya researcher and UC San Diego grad student, has been selected as a Major Symposium speaker at the The American Association of Immunologists - AAI Annual Conference on May 6th to share her infectious disease research on a national stage. “AAI’s annual meeting features the latest research from some of the brightest minds in the field of immunology,” said Loretta Doan, CEO of The American Association of Immunologists. “AAI trainee members are making exciting discoveries every day, and we are thrilled to offer this high-profile honor for some of them to share their work with the community.” Congrats!

Rimjhim Agarwal selected as Major Symposium speaker at the American Association of Immunologists’ IMMUNOLOGY2024™ Annual Conference Rimjhim Agarwal, a UC San Diego Graduate Student and member of LJI’s Weiskopf Lab (Image credit: La Jolla Institute for Immunology) LA JOLLA, CA—La Jolla Institute for Immunology (LJI) is pleased to announce the selection of Rimjhim Agarwal, 2024 Tullie and Rickey Families SPARK Awards for Innov...