The Immunology Podcast

Dr. Peter Fecci, a Professor of Neurosurgery at Duke University, specializes in brain tumor immunology and immunotherapy. He discusses groundbreaking strategies for activating T cells to target brain tumors, particularly focusing on glioblastoma. Insights into targeting MHC-I-negative tumor cells reveal promising avenues for treatment. The conversation also covers the complexities of brain cancer therapies and the immune dynamics affecting outcomes. With a balance of scientific rigor and personal anecdotes, the talk offers a hopeful look at advancements in brain tumor treatment.

Dr. Alice Long, a Principal Investigator at Benaroya Research Institute, discusses topics such as B cell selection, IBD management, neuropeptides in type 2 immunity, and intestinal antigen recognition. She also explores T cell tolerance in type 1 diabetes, T cell exhaustion in therapy, and the challenges of checkpoint blockade. The hosts and guest also chat about hobbies, scuba diving, and upcoming meetings.

Dr. Kristin Anderson, Assistant Professor at the University of Virginia, discusses engineering T cells to overcome immune suppression in tumors. Topics include strategies for targeting ovarian cancer, translational challenges in immunotherapy, and tips for postdocs transitioning to faculty positions.

Discover the revolutionary mRNA vaccination approach for pancreatic cancer by Dr. Vinod Balachandran, highlighting potential benefits for patients. Dive into the interaction between the immune system and gut microbiome, along with the rejuvenating effects of young blood components on aging. Explore the significance of T cell immunity in preventing influenza infections and the role of mentorship in a surgeon-scientist's career journey.

Dr. Greg Delgoffe, an Associate Professor at the University of Pittsburgh studying metabolism and immunity in cancer, discusses the metabolism of immune cells in cancer and the effects of nutrients in the tumor microenvironment. Topics include the role of immunometabolism in autoimmunity, CD8 T cells killing MHC one negative tumor cells, and the Warburg effect in tumor metabolism.

Dr. Daniel Streicker, a Professor of Viral Ecology, discusses vampire bats as reservoirs for rabies and approaches to vaccination for preventing transmission. Topics include: sleep disturbance in cardiac disease, influenza vaccine responses, multipronged T cells, γδ T cells in solid tumors, collaboration in immunology, vampire bats and rabies transmission, and fieldwork experiences in South America.

Dr. Jamie Spangler, an Assistant Professor at Johns Hopkins, dives into the innovative world of protein engineering. She discusses designing cytokine mimetics that can serve as therapeutic agents, revolutionizing immune disease treatment. The conversation also covers groundbreaking cancer research, highlighting immune changes in gastric adenocarcinoma. Additionally, the therapeutic potential of regulatory T cells in conditions like Parkinson's and the intricate links between mast cells and allergic responses are explored. Tune in for insights that could reshape future medical approaches!

Guests: Dr. Laura Raff is Associate Director, Sales, Immunology and Dr. Ami Ashar-Patel is a Senior Account Manager, Immunology at STEMCELL Technologies. Dr. Raff has a PhD in Molecular Microbiology and Immunology from the University of Southern California and Dr. Ashar-Patel has a PhD in Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology from the University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School. They talk about their career transitions from academia to industry and how they support scientists’ research endeavors in their current roles. Featured Products and Resources: Register for IUIS 2023! Learn about career opportunities in biotechnology and hear advice for making the move to industry. The Immunology Science Round Up Multiplexed Screening of G-Protein-Coupled Receptors – Scientists screened 1,041 human-associated metabolites against and uncovered previously unreported endogenous, exogenous, and microbial G-protein-coupled receptor agonists. New Oral Polio Vaccines – Genetically engineered polio vaccine candidates reduce the likelihood of Sabin strains regaining fitness and neurovirulence. Fecal Transplants and Immune Checkpoint Inhibition – Fecal microbiota transfer from healthy donors promotes resolution of refractory immune checkpoint-inhibitor mediated colitis in patients with cancer. Macrophages in the Nervous System – Resident macrophages of the muscularis externa refine the enteric nervous system early in life. Images courtesy of STEMCELL Technologies Subscribe to our newsletter! Never miss updates about new episodes. Subscribe

Guest: Dr. Alessandro Sette is a Center Head, Division Head, and Professor at the La Jolla Institute of Allergy and Immunology. His lab focuses on understanding the immune response, measuring immune activity, and developing disease intervention strategies against cancer, autoimmunity, allergy, and infectious diseases. He talks about bringing a biotech mindset back to academia, cross-reactive T cell responses to SARS-CoV-2, and compiling an immune-epitope database. Featured Products and Resources: Register for the 18th IUIS International Congress of Immunology, to be held in Cape Town from 27 November-2 December 2023. Read interviews with immunologists. The Immunology Science Round Up Gut T Cells and Cancer Metastasis – A subset of CD8+ T cells from colon tumors improves control of liver tumors in a preclinical model of colorectal carcinoma. α2-adrenergic Receptors and Immunotherapy – α2-Adrenergic receptor agonists have very strong anti-tumor activity when used as monotherapies in multiple immunocompetent tumor models. Bacteria in Immune Checkpoint Blockade – Antibiotic-induced changes in gut microbiota resulted in relocation of immunosuppressive T cells from the gut to tumors. Base Editing CAR T Cells – Researchers investigated the safety of base-edited CAR T cells in three children with relapsed leukemia. Image courtesy of Dr. Alessandro Sette Subscribe to our newsletter! Never miss updates about new episodes. Subscribe

In May 2023, we attended IMMUNOLOGY2023, the annual meeting of the American Association of Immunologists, in Washington, DC. We spoke with delegates about their research and impressions of the meeting, including their reasons for attending, what they were most looking forward to, and the most memorable research presented. Featured Products and Resources: Register for the International Union of Immunological Societies 2023 Congress in Cape Town, South Africa from November 27 to December 2. Prepare for your next conference. Subscribe to our newsletter! Never miss updates about new episodes. Subscribe