La Jolla Institute for Immunology

Our focus is immunology, because we believe that no other biomedical discipline has greater implications for human health than immunology. By unraveling the complexities of the immune system, LJI researchers are directly tackling an extraordinarily diverse array of diseases, which together account for more than two-thirds of all deaths in the U.S. each year. Such diseases include type 1 diabetes, cancer, COVID-19, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, asthma, allergies, influenza, dengue fever, and many other illnesses. La Jolla Institute is home to four research centers that focus the efforts of collaborative groups of researchers on defined areas of inquiry, to accelerate progress toward the development of new treatments and vaccines to prevent and cure autoimmune conditions, cancer, and infectious disease, and to uncover the largely unexplored sex-specific variables in immune responses. LJI is host to three national databases that give biomedical researchers free access to the world’s largest collection of epitopes and related scientific data and provide insights into how genes act within the immune system to set it in motion. Life without Disease is a pursuit that requires a continually expanding understanding of the immune system, and the ability to translate knowledge and discoveries developed in scientific research into technologies that improve life and health. Learn more at https://www.lji.org

“Where I grew up, you are primed to believe you have a task in life—that we’re each given a responsibility,” says former LJI postdoc Rosa Isela Gálvez, Ph.D. “I can’t fix the world, but it’s my responsibility to do something of value.” Learn why Dr. Gálvez chose to work at LJI — and how LJI trainees have gone on to advance immune system research. Michael Norris , Camila Coelho, PhD MBA , Stephane Becart #LJIalumni #alumni #careerlaunch #trainingground #STEM #ScienceCareers #Science #Immunology #Postdoc #GradSchool #MolecularBiology #CellularBiology #Virology #VaccineResearch #AutoimmuneDisease https://bit.ly/4aFJHk5

LJI scientists are pioneering new ways to use #DataScience to fight disease. Check out our latest Immune Matters articles to learn what's next as scientists use artificial intelligence and computational biology to understand the human immune system. https://mag.lji.org/ #Science #STEM #SanDiego #Immunology #ImmuneSystem #Health #Medicine #DataScience #CompBio #DataAnalysis #SARSCoV2

LJI’s Flow Cytometry Core, which provides cutting-edge research services, has been named a BD Biosciences “Center of Excellence” 💫 Along with this distinction, the LJI Flow Core has brought in a sophisticated instrument for immune cell research: the BD FACSDiscover™ S8 Cell Sorter. This novel technology adds to the already impressive collection of machines run by Flow Core Senior Director Cheryl Kim and her team. “This is an exciting opportunity,” says Kim. “We’ve got LJI scientists who are interested in using this cell sorter right away.” Thanks to support from generous donors, including The Conrad Prebys Foundation, the LJI Flow Core houses four cell sorters that can detect over 28 different colors of fluorescent antibodies. Scientists can tag specific proteins with this wide array of colors to find rare types of immune cells. “LJI’s Flow Cytometry Core is an amazing resource for LJI scientists—and for our scientific collaborators around the globe,” says LJI Chief Scientific Officer Shane Crotty, Ph.D. Photo: LJI Flow Cytometry Specialist Kirby Inocente (left) analyzes samples provided by LJI Postdoctoral Fellow Simon BRUNEL Ph.D. (right). Read more: https://lnkd.in/g56GEaxE

On April 10th, LJI Professor, President & CEO Erica Ollmann Saphire, PhD, MBA, joined an esteemed selection of leaders in biomedical research and healthcare at Women's Health Access Matters #3Not30 Initiative dedicated to accelerating women’s health research and investment. In her remarks, Dr. Saphire emphasized the collaboration necessary to establish a blueprint for transforming scientific research by prioritizing a sex-based lens—one that takes into account the dynamic interplay between biology and sex. It is this foundational belief that prompted us to establish the groundbreaking Center for Sex-based Differences in the Immune System, which aims to reshape the landscape of scientific research by exploring sex as a critical variable in human health. In just a few short years, our endeavors have already borne fruit, with landmark discoveries shedding new light on the genetic, transcriptional, and metabolic disparities that underpin sex-based differences in immune function. We've uncovered the profound reality that men and women activate distinct sets of genes, and their immune systems harbor unique populations of cells. These disparities serve as the linchpin for unlocking innovative therapies and cures across a wide spectrum of ailments, ranging from autoimmune disorders to neurodegenerative afflictions. Most importantly, Dr. Saphire's closing remarks stressed that when we target resources towards women’s health, the rewards will be profound, benefitting BOTH women and men. Learn more about our center https://lnkd.in/gfRZvREy #ImmuneSystem #WomensHealth #MensHealth #WomensHealthResearch #WHAM

On April 7th, Team LJI participated in Curebound's San Diego Padres #PedaltheCause, where over 4,100 participants were welcomed to Petco Park to walk, run and ride for a cure by raising funds for the innovative cancer research happening at LJI and several other research institutes in San Diego. We want to extend a heartfelt thank you to our sponsors Quantabio, New England Biolabs, and Element Biosciences for their support. We had a great time celebrating and remembering why we are all part of this community – to accelerate cures for cancer.

How does #immunity differ between men and women? LJI Associate Professor Sonia Sharma leads an important LJI initiative to reveal sex-based differences in the immune system. This work is critical for combating #asthma #cancer, #COVID19 and more. In fact, Dr. Sharma and Priyanka Saminathan, Ph.D., from LJI's Sharma Lab, have been investigating an "Achilles heel" that leaves men more susceptible to COVID-19, compared with women. Their work has revealed how an enzyme called ADA2 may pose a challenge for the male immune system. Dr. Saminathan will present their findings at the AAI IMMUNOLOGY 2024 meeting on May 7. Learn more about breakthroughs from LJI's Center for Sex-Based Differences in the Immune System and through LJI's partnership with Women's Health Access Matters: https://bit.ly/3PXLGIb #AAI2024 #immunesystem

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 Annual Conference 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! #AAI2024 #Virology #SanDiego #ImmuneSystem #health #disease #immunology #Chikungunya

LJI Professor Alessandro Sette speaks with Helen Branswell at STAT on what we've learned about COVID-19 and cross-reactive T cells. “One would like, for example, to know in the context of booster vaccinations: How does the immune response of someone that has been immunized two or three times compare to someone who has [been immunized] four or five times,” Sette said. “And those studies are now difficult to perform exactly for the reason that it’s very difficult to find someone that was immunized only once.” #SARSCOV2 #ImmuneSystem #TCells #VaccineResearch #COVID19

Curious how Biosafety Level 3 laboratories (BSL-3) keep researchers safe and what you need to know to work in one? In this video, Biosafety Officer Laurence Cagnon, Ph.D., takes you behind the leaktight walls and through a BSL-3. She explains donning and doffing of PPE as well as all of the processes in place to keep researchers safe. The Infectious Disease Abatement and Exploration (BSL-3) facility at La Jolla Institute of Immunology is made possible by the generosity of private donors and foundations.