Revelations
How sex-based differences shape the immune system—and what these discoveries mean for the future of medicine
Disease COVID-19
COVID-19 causes more severe disease in men. This tricky enzyme may be partially to blame.
“This study illustrated a profound difference between the immune systems of men and women.”
New mouse models offer valuable window into COVID-19 infection
LJI and Synbal, Inc. scientists develop new tool for pandemic preparedness
Vijayanand Lab
Pandurangan Vijayanand, M.D., Ph.D., and his lab members employ genomics tools to understand, diagnose and treat pulmonary disease such as asthma, lung cancer and infectious diseases, including the novel coronavirus.
Shresta Lab
Sujan Shresta, Ph.D., and her team study the immunology and virology of mosquito-borne human pathogens such as dengue virus and Zika virus.
Sette Lab
Alessandro Sette, Dr.Biol.Sci., defines in chemical terms the specific structures (epitopes) that the immune system recognizes and uses this knowledge to measure and understand immune responses.
Saphire Lab
Erica Ollmann Saphire, Ph.D., MBA, studies, at the molecular level, how and why viruses are pathogenic. This work provides the roadmap for medical defense.
Crotty Lab
Shane Crotty, Ph.D., and his team study immunity against infectious diseases. They investigate how the immune system remembers infections and vaccines.
LJI scientists capture immune cells hidden in nasal passages
LJI scientists pioneer new method for measuring immune memory and SARS-CoV-2 responses in the upper airway
Sydney Ramirez receives prestigious Burroughs Wellcome Fund Career Award
Ramirez brings a doctor's perspective to infectious disease research
Ay Lab
Ferhat Ay, Ph.D., works to understand gene regulation in complex organisms and diseases.
LJI scientist Alison Tarke honored by Italian government
Tarke established important U.S.-Italy research collaborations amidst the COVID-19 pandemic
LJI scientists win ‘Prebys Research Heroes’ funding
Prebys Foundation celebrates ground-breaking female researchers
LJI home to new “Center of Excellence”
LJI's Flow Cytometry Core brings cutting-edge technology to immune system researchers
Common cold or COVID-19? Some T cells are ready to combat both
New LJI research demonstrates the importance of harnessing "cross-reactive" T cells to combat SARS-CoV-2
T cells tackle new ‘Pirola’ SARS-CoV-2 variant
LJI scientists harness bioinformatics to predict how T cells may adapt to fighting the highly mutated Pirola variant
Erica Ollmann Saphire wins 2023 Pantheon Award from California Life Sciences
LJI President and CEO celebrated among California’s leading life sciences innovators
Family resemblance: How T cells could fight many coronaviruses at once
LJI researchers work to head off future pandemics by uncovering key similarities between SARS-CoV-2 and common cold coronaviruses
Even as SARS-CoV-2 mutates, some human antibodies fight back
A 'cocktail' of human antibodies shows promise in fighting severe SARS-CoV-2 infections
LJI Professor Alessandro Sette elected to the American Academy of Microbiology
Sette has led investigations into the T cell response to SARS-CoV-2, tuberculosis, and more
Shane Crotty receives AAI-BioLegend Herzenberg Award for B cell research
Crotty has advanced vaccine research and tested new strategies for stopping HIV, COVID-19
Durable SARS-CoV-2 antibodies bind to two viral targets at once
"Bivalent" antibodies can continue to neutralize Omicron and Omicron lineages
LJI scientists reflect on what it means to make the “Highly Cited” list
A record number of LJI researchers have been named to the 2022 list, including two early career scientists
The longer the bootcamp, the better the antibodies
LJI scientists test new vaccine strategy to help the body target HIV
Your body remembers common cold coronaviruses from childhood. How can you get the same immunity to COVID-19?
COVID-19 boosters may lead to a stable antibody and T cell population in years to come
LJI scientists publish first head-to-head comparison of four COVID-19 vaccines
New investigation reveals the strength of T cell, B cell, and antibody responses over time
Op-Ed: What will it take to make a universal COVID vaccine?
As California emerges from Omicron, other places are again in lockdown or facing record caseloads after trying and failing to
LJI Professor Shane Crotty elected to the American Academy of Microbiology
“This is a real honor. The ASM is an outstanding organization.”
Current vaccines teach T cells to fight Omicron
New LJI study shows how the fully vaccinated respond to a range of SARS-CoV-2 variants
LJI and Charles River Laboratories to collaborate on COVID-19 research
New agreement paves the way for better mouse models to study how the human immune system fights SARS-CoV-2
Fernanda Ana-Sosa-Batiz wins AAI fellowship
"This fellowship opens up a lot of future opportunities.”
¡Felicidades, Alba y Alex!
LJI COVID-19 researchers Alba Grifoni and Alessandro Sette win top honors from the Spanish Society of Immunology
T Cells Might Be Our Bodies’ Best Shot Against Omicron
When a T cell makes up its mind to kill, it does not mess around.
New vaccine ingredient shows promise
Most vaccines include particles called adjuvants. But not all adjuvants are created equal.
COVID-19 case severity: How genetic differences leave immune cells at a disadvantage
New LJI research shows how a range of critical immune cells respond to SARS-CoV-2
Six LJI scientists named “Highly Cited Researchers”
The international recognition reflects how LJI research is valued by scientific peers
Erica Ollmann Saphire receives $2.6 million grant to collaborate on pan-coronavirus vaccine
La Jolla Institute scientists team up with Brigham and Women's Hospital to guide the development of vaccines against the coronavirus family
Lungs of COVID-19 survivors teem with virus-fighting ‘memory’ cells
Even elderly survivors show a strong, persistent immune memory
From Alpha to Epsilon: Consortium study illuminates surfaces of Spike most resistant to antibody escape
LJI-led Coronavirus Immunotherapeutic Consortium identifies antibody 'communities' with power to stop SARS-CoV-2 variants
Q&A with COVID-19 researcher Daniela Weiskopf
Weiskopf reflects on nearly two years of non-stop COVID-19 research—and a recent honor from her native Austria
Moderna COVID-19 vaccine spurs lasting immune response
Immune system memory stays strong 6+ months post-vaccination, similar to responses in recovered COVID-19 patients
Shane Crotty achieves “World Expert” status for vaccine research
Professor Shane Crotty, Ph.D. , of the La Jolla Institute for Immunology (LJI), has earned the distinction of “World Expert” in vaccine research. This ranking is based on Expertscape‘s PubMed-based algorithms, which place Crotty in the top 0.1% of scholars publishing information…
San Diego students earn top honors for STEM-inspired art
Local high school students bring art and science together for LJI’s Inaugural Art of the Immune System Competition
What you need to know about variants, vaccines, and breakthrough COVID cases
The CDC is reporting every severe breakthrough, but less is known about non-severe cases.
Can we stretch existing Covid vaccines to inoculate more people? Experts are divided
With the global supply of Covid-19 vaccine still woefully inadequate, vaccine makers are scouring the pharmaceutical landscape for partners to ramp up manufacturing
Sydney Ramirez investigates a lingering COVID-19 question
New A.P. Giannini Foundation Fellowship opens the door to an in-depth look at SARS-CoV-2 infections
Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech vaccines prime T cells to fight SARS-CoV-2 variants
LJI researchers highlight the importance of T cell cross reactivity in stopping severe COVID-19 cases
In-Depth: La Jolla Institute takes comprehensive look at COVID-19 immunity
Study compares four vaccines and natural immunity
LJI and Synbal, Inc. partner to develop better COVID-19 models
New mouse models may shed light on the puzzling aspects of SARS-CoV-2 infection
A COVID-fighter’s guide to T cells
New LJI review shows how T cells target more than 1,400 sites on SARS-CoV-2
The new CEO of the La Jolla Institute for Immunology ascended by lifting others
Erica Ollman Saphire brings together scientific competitors to find new antibody therapeutics for COVID-19.
Learning from men. Learning from women.
Men and women have different immune systems. With a better understanding of sex-specific immune differences, scientists can more effectively fight infections, cancers, heart disease, and even pregnancy complications.
Tempus dare: A time to give
San Diego biotech entrepreneurs François Ferré, Ph.D., and Magda Marquet, Ph.D., knew supporting LJI would be critical for advancing our understanding of COVID-19.
Up and Coming: Alba Grifoni, Ph.D.
Speaking up for science
Q&A with Bjoern Peters, Ph.D.
The bioinformatics tools Dr. Peters has developed are invaluable for immunologists worldwide.
Role of T Cells in Viral Infections (Including SARS-CoV-2)
Selected References Kusnadi A, Ramírez-Suástegui C, Fajardo V, Chee SJ, Meckiff BJ, Simon H, Pelosi E, Seumois G, Ay F, Vijayanand P, Ottensmeier CH. Severely ill COVID-19 patients display impaired exhaustion features in SARS-CoV-2-reactive CD8+T cells. Sci Immunol. 2021…
Illustrating the history of pandemics
San Diego artist Patricia Pauchnick on how she assembled her illustration for the Immune Matters magazine article "How Pandemics End"
In mutant variants, has the coronavirus shown its best tricks?
The rapid rise in different parts of the world of deadly, more infectious coronavirus variants that share new mutations is leading scientists to ask a critical question
LJI team wins $500,000 XPRIZE for COVID-19 screening protocol
Saliva-based COVID-19 screen proves fast, cheap and reliable
Finding community at the UC San Diego-Petco Park Super Station
"Clinical staff and non-medical volunteers are happy to be helping out"
Immunologists take on vaccine FAQs
LJI releases new COVID-19 vaccine guide
Leinco Technologies, Inc., and La Jolla Institute for Immunology announce license agreement to develop novel COVID-19 diagnostic tools
LA JOLLA, CA— La Jolla Institute for Immunology (LJI), one of the leading research organizations dedicated to studying the immune system announced today that it has signed a licensing agreement with Leinco Technologies, Inc., a premier developer and manufacturer of leading-edge recombinant proteins,…
COVID-19 research—a year later
5 takeaways from February's "Live from the Lab" webinar
Had Covid? You May Need Only One Dose of Vaccine, Study Suggests
People who have already been sick with Covid-19 should still be vaccinated, experts say, but they may experience intense side effects even after one dose.
The Shapeshifting Virus
Coronavirus: The Evidence
Coronavirus mutations add urgency to vaccination effort as experts warn of long battle ahead
T cells can mount attacks against many SARS-CoV-2 targets—even on new virus variant
New LJI research gives detailed look at vulnerable sites on the novel coronavirus—beyond the receptor binding domain
Experts torn over changing vaccine doses to speed up lagging rollout
To speed inoculations, the U.S. plans to release all available vaccine doses and open access to anyone over 65. Others suggest straying from recommended doses or intentionally delaying boosters. The best way forward remains uncertain.
The Future of the Coronavirus? An Annoying Childhood Infection
Once immunity is widespread in adults, the virus rampaging across the world will come to resemble the common cold, scientists predict.
COVID-19 immunity could be long term
New findings suggest that immune response to COVID-19 may be long-lasting.
Post-infection coronavirus immunity usually robust after 8 months, study shows
Covid-19 immunity likely lasts for years
A new study shows immune cells primed to fight the coronavirus should persist for a long time after someone is vaccinated or recovers from infection.
Protective immunity against SARS-CoV-2 could last eight months or more
Why declining antibodies don't spell disaster for long-lasting immunity
San Diego team named XPRIZE finalists for COVID rapid-test breakthrough
New two-dollar screen proves fast, simple and accurate
Erica Ollmann Saphire named Scientist of the Year by ARCS San Diego
Award recognizes Saphire's leadership in global effort against COVID-19
Alba Grifoni receives ISSNAF award for COVID-19 research
New award from the Embassy of Italy honors an Italian scientist making breakthroughs in a global crisis
How to shift into COVID-19 research
Scientists who aren’t virologists or vaccinologists can still make crucial contributions to the global effort to battle SARS-CoV-2.
Covid- 19 – Good news on immunity
After infection or vaccination immunity to the virus may be long lasting
Inside the labs of three leading San Diego scientists
LJI Professors Shane Crotty, Ph.D., Bjoern Peters, Ph.D., and Alessandro Sette, Dr. Biol. Sci., were named “Highly Cited Researchers” this week by Clarivate.
The End of the Pandemic Is Now in Sight
A year of scientific uncertainty is over. Two vaccines look like they will work, and more should follow.
Immunity to the Coronavirus May Last Years, New Data Hint
Blood samples from recovered patients suggest a powerful, long-lasting immune response, researchers reported.
Coronavirus Immunity May Last Years, Possibly Even Decades, Study Suggests
Immunity to the novel coronavirus may last eight months or longer, according to a new study authored by respected scientists at leading labs, which found that individuals who recovered from the coronavirus developed “robust” levels of B cells and T cells (necessary for fighting off the virus) and “these cells may persist in the body for a very, very long time.”
COVID-19 and T cells: Single-cell transcriptomic analysis of SARS-CoV-2-reactive CD8 + and CD4 + T cells.
As the SARS-CoV-2 related disease COVID-19 hit hard and changed the lives of every person on earth, the Vijayanand lab recently started to put their expertise in single-cell analysis of T cells responding to SARS-CoV-2 and other respiratory viruses.…
3 things we know (and 3 we don’t) about Pfizer’s initial COVID-19 vaccine results
San Diego scientists and trial participants are cautiously optimistic after early reports that Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine is highly effective
Coronavirus immunity: It’s complicated
The body’s immune system is immensely intricate. A new study released in the UK is causing a stir because of what it says about possible limits to our immunity to COVID-19. Dr. Alessandro Sette talks with The World’s Marco Werman about what the study’s results mean for the possibility of a strong coronavirus vaccine.
Lynn Hedrick receives more than $500,000 for COVID-19 research
New immune cell studies may shed light on heart attacks, inflammation seen in COVID-19 patients
Why I Give: Neal Roberts and Hal Nathan on making a global impact
“Over the years, we’ve figured out various ways to do good in the world.”
Daniela Weiskopf Awarded $1.4 million to Study COVID-19 in Latino Americans
New funding from the National Cancer Institute will let scientists get “whole picture” of the immune response
Every COVID-19 case seems different. These scientists want to know why.
Scientists in the U.S. and U.K. publish first in-depth look at how CD4+ T cells fight SARS-CoV-2
New look at COVID-19 cases does not support link between BCG vaccination and lower mortality
COVID-carrying skiers may help explain disease trends in Germany
T cells take the lead in controlling SARS-CoV-2 and reducing COVID-19 disease severity
Finding may help explain why people 65 and above face a higher risk of falling critically ill with COVID-19
Beating HIV and COVID-19 may depend on tweaking vaccine molecules
LJI and Scripps Research scientists tackle the problem of antigen valency
LJI Professor Erica Ollmann Saphire awarded $6.4 million for international efforts to beat COVID-19
The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) has awarded more than $6.4 million to Dr. Saphire to support research toward COVID-19 antibody therapeutics.
LJI team gets first-ever look at a rare but vital stem cell in humans
New understanding of immune cell origins may offer cancer and COVID-19 drug targets
Forty percent of people with coronavirus infections have no symptoms. Might they be the key to ending the pandemic?
New research suggests that some of us may be partially protected due to past encounters with common cold coronaviruses
Why antibodies may not be the key to beating coronavirus
Worries over waning antibodies may be overblown, as growing evidence shows a role for T cells in the coronavirus immune response.
The Coronavirus Is New, but Your Immune System Might Still Recognize It
Convalescent plasma lowers COVID-19 death risk; exposure to common cold may limit disease severity
The following is a brief roundup of some of the latest scientific studies on the novel coronavirus and efforts to find treatments and vaccines for COVID-19, the illness caused by the virus.
Common cold viruses can spark response against the coronavirus, San Diego scientists report
Some people who’ve never been exposed to the novel coronavirus may have protection against it, but that is far from certain
Immunology Is Where Intuition Goes to Die
Which is too bad because we really need to understand how the immune system reacts to the coronavirus.
