The Immunology Podcast

Guests: Dr. Ulrich von Andrian is the Mallinckrodt Professor of Immunopathology at Harvard Medical School and President of the American Association of Immunologists (AAI). Dr. Shekhar Pasare is Professor and Director of the Division of Immunobiology at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center. He is also the Program Committee Chair for the AAI’s annual meetings. They discuss the upcoming IMMUNOLOGY2026 meeting taking place April 15-19 in Boston. They cover highlights of the program including the Presidential Symposium, special sessions, and opportunities for trainees. (42:30) Featured Products and Resources: Submit a late-breaking abstract for IMMUNOLOGY2026! Wallchart: T Cell Nomenclature: From Subsets to Modules The Immunology Science Round Up Psoriatic Arthritis –  A two-step process involving skin-derived myeloid precursors and joint-resident fibroblasts orchestrates the spread of inflammation from the skin to the joints. (6:15) Chemotherapy and Cardiac-Resident Macrophages – DNA-damaging chemotherapy can reshape cardiac macrophage ontogeny. (13:50) Dendritic Cell Cross-Presentation – Neoantigen cross-presentation by Type 1 conventional dendritic cells can determine the immune visibility of the tumor mutational landscape. (26:00) T Cell Cross-Reactivity – Co-receptor switching generates super selective T cells that reduce the risk of lethal off-target cross-reactivity. (32:20) Images courtesy of Drs. Ulrich von Andrian and Shekhar Pasare Subscribe to our newsletter! Never miss updates about new episodes. Subscribe

Dr. Jayne Danska is a Senior Scientist focused on the microbiome and type 1 diabetes. She discusses the rising incidence of autoimmune diseases and the gut microbiome's vital role. Jayne elaborates on designing human studies with pregnant mothers and highlights findings from child-derived mouse models. She emphasizes geography and diversity in research, exploring the challenges of developing microbial therapeutics. Finally, she shares her passion for artisanal cheesemaking and its connection to microbiology.

Dr. Ana Anderson, a leading immunology researcher at Harvard, joins to discuss her groundbreaking work on T-cell regulation in cancer. She highlights the promise of checkpoint inhibitors like PD-1 and CTLA-4, while addressing the need to remodel the tumor microenvironment for better outcomes. Anderson emphasizes the importance of targeting myeloid cells and the advancements in adoptive cell therapies. She also shares insights from her research on TCF1's role in T-cell function and the exciting future directions in immunotherapy. Plus, she reveals her personal passion for rowing!

Dr. George Robinson, a Principal Research Fellow at University College London, dives into juvenile-onset systemic lupus erythematosus and its complexities. He discusses current diagnostic tests and innovative treatments, including CAR T-cell therapy. The conversation explores sex differences in autoimmunity, considering how hormones and genetics impact the disease. Robinson also highlights his lab's work on longitudinal biobanking and the potential for lifestyle changes to influence remission. His insights into the ongoing research landscape bring a hopeful perspective to lupus treatment.

Dr. Camila Coelho, a Principal Investigator at the Icahn School of Medicine, dives into her lab's work on emerging pathogens like mpox. She discusses the complexities of orthopox vaccines, including the safety versus efficacy trade-offs of various smallpox vaccines. Camila shares insights on antibody discovery, emphasizing the evolution of methods to map neutralizing epitopes. Moreover, she highlights her commitment to mentorship in science and how her MBA helps enhance her lab leadership and team dynamics.

In this episode, Professor Matteo Iannacone, a leading expert in liver immunology from Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, dives into the fascinating interplay between viruses and cancer. He discusses how unique liver architecture affects immune responses, especially in chronic hepatitis B. Matteo details how CD4 T cells license Kupffer cells to restore CD8 T cell function, and he explores the mechanisms behind liver zonation and its influence on immune cell behavior. Plus, he shares a personal note about his passion for jazz piano!

Dr. Robin Orozco, an Assistant Professor at the University of Kansas, shares insights into how allelic variants like PTPN22 influence immune responses. She explains the benefits of using mouse models to uncover the effects on autoimmunity and cancer. Orozco discusses the nuanced trade-offs between protection against infections and the increased risk of autoimmunity posed by PTPN22. She also highlights her approach to teaching and mentorship, emphasizing a human-centered methodology in scientific practice.

Dr. Harikesh Wong, an Assistant Professor at the Ragon Institute and MIT, dives into the fascinating world of intercellular communication and Treg function in the immune system. He shares insights on how antigen specificity in Tregs can prevent autoimmunity during infections. Dr. Wong also discusses his advanced fluorescence microscopy techniques for visualizing Treg interactions with conventional T cells. Plus, he explores the challenges of translating mouse model insights to human systems, and he even ties in his passion for martial arts as a means to find focus.

Dr. Eric Vivier, a renowned immunology professor at Aix-Marseille Université, discusses the critical need for investing in scientific research. He argues that funding basic science leads to transformative breakthroughs like monoclonal antibodies. The conversation explores differences in research funding between Europe and the US, highlighting the European Research Council's role in fostering scientific freedom. Vivier also emphasizes the importance of science communication and the need to inspire future generations of scientists.

In August 2025, we attended the 19th International Congress of Immunology, hosted by the International Union of Immunological Societies, in Vienna, Austria. We chat with delegates about their research and impressions of the meeting. They discuss the most memorable research presented and their experiences in Austria. Featured Products and Resources: Prepare for your next conference. Subscribe to our newsletter! Never miss updates about new episodes. Subscribe