About the Live from the Lab Series

The Live from the Lab webinar series takes viewers inside LJI’s labs and introduces them to the Institute’s distinguished scientists and their cutting-edge research. During the hour-long webinars, viewers receive a virtual behind-the-scenes look as LJI scientists and leadership dive into the immune system and its role in fighting global health challenges such as cancer and autoimmune disease.

Scroll down to watch the most recent Live from the Lab webinar recording, as well as, past recordings.

Past Webinars

Live from the Lab | Vaccination against heart disease with Felix Nettersheim, M.D.

Jan 25, 2024

La Jolla Institute for Immunology (LJI) '23 SPARK winner Felix Nettersheim, M.D., discusses how he is deploying novel therapeutic strategies to develop a clinically effective heart disease vaccine. Heart disease has been the leading cause of death in the United States since the 1950s. A major cause of cardiovascular disease is an uncontrolled autoimmune attack against blood vessels. Accumulating evidence suggests that a vaccine with cholesterol particles can dampen this autoimmune process. However, such vaccines elicit a considerably weaker response compared to vaccines against bacteria or viruses. In this Live from the Lab discussion, Dr. Nettersheim will explore how his research may dampen the misguided immune response that is responsible for cardiovascular disease, and could lead to important vaccine discoveries – ultimately working towards Life Without Disease®. La Jolla Institute for Immunology is dedicated to understanding the intricacies and power of the immune system so that we may apply that knowledge to promote human health and prevent a wide range of diseases. We look forward to having you join us and welcome you to share this opportunity with family and friends that may be interested in learning more about LJI. Additional information on Dr. Nettersheim's research can be found at lji.org/spark23-felix. LJI's Live from the Lab webinar series gives viewers an opportunity to receive a virtual behind-the-scenes look as LJI scientists and leadership dive into the immune system and its role in fighting COVID-19 and other global health challenges such as cancer and autoimmune disease.

Live from the Lab with Professor Christopher Benedict, Ph.D.

Jun 20, 2023

On June 20, 2023 La Jolla Institute for Immunology Associate Professor Christopher Benedict, Ph.D., discussed the surprising ways that viruses escape detection by our immune system and the exciting research underway that could help the body hunt down invaders. Dr. Benedict's work has shed light on how viruses such as cytomegalovirus (CMV), Epstein-Barr (Mono), and chicken pox/shingles (Varicella Zoster) viruses put up "smokescreens" to trick human immune cells. These strategies facilitate viral replication, and in some cases help them establish lifelong infections that we can never clear. Most people get infected with Epstein-Barr virus at some point in their lives and more than half of the U.S. population will be infected with CMV, the most common infectious cause of birth defects, by the time they hit 40. In this Live from the Lab discussion, Dr. Benedict described how he and his team are building an understanding of the viral strategies that allow these diseases to evade detection by our immune system, which could lead to important vaccine discoveries – and ultimately work towards Life Without Disease®. Expert insights during the virtual discussion were also provided by the Institute's Chief Scientific Officer Mitchell Kronenberg, Ph.D. Technical expertise was shared during the laboratory component of the presentation by Benedict Lab Manager Eduardo Lucero Meza. The presentation ended with a live Q&A, with questions from participants.

Live from the Lab with LJI Chief Scientific Officer Mitchell Kronenberg, Ph.D.

Feb 2, 2023

On February 2, 2023, world-renowned immunologist and La Jolla Institute for Immunology (LJI) Chief Scientific Officer and Professor Mitchell "Mitch" Kronenberg, Ph.D. discussed the immune cells on the front lines of infection and their role in disease, highlighting inflammatory bowel disease. Expert insights during the virtual discussion were also provided by the Institute's Chief Executive Officer and President Erica Ollmann Saphire, Ph.D. Technical expertise was shared during the laboratory component of the presentation by Microscopy Core Director Zbigniew Mikulski, Ph.D. Microscopy is a critical tool for understanding how cells, proteins, and pathogens interact. Through this tool, LJI scientists harness the latest advances in optics and chemistry to track shifts in cell behavior and movement through the body. Dr. Mitch Kronenberg highlighted how he and his team use these tools to ultimately achieve Life Without Disease® by investigating how immune cells at border sites—including our skin and intestines—protect us from infections and what goes wrong when chronic inflammatory diseases, such as inflammatory bowel disease, take hold.

Live from the Lab with LJI Professor &T1D Expert Matthias von Herrath, M.D.

Mar 3, 2022

On March 3, 2022, La Jolla Institute for Immunology Professor Matthias von Herrath, M.D., shared current theories on the leading causes of type 1 diabetes, as well as his latest research findings, which point in a promising new direction for the future of disease treatment. Expert insights during the virtual discussion were also provided by the Institute's Chief Executive Officer and President Erica Ollmann Saphire, Ph.D. Technical expertise was shared during the laboratory component of the presentation by von Herrath Laboratory Postdoctoral Researcher Estefania Quesada-Masachs, M.D., Ph.D. Dr. von Herrath's discussion focused on the hypothesis that there’s something in the pancreas driving its own destruction in type 1 diabetes, as scientists have found that beta cells draw harmful T cells to the pancreas prior to the onset of clinical signs of diabetes. His laboratory is testing the theory that there’s something wrong with the beta cells themselves. In this Live from the Lab discussion, Dr. von Herrath also described how he and his team are attempting to unlock the root of many autoimmune diseases, particularly type 1 diabetes – to ultimately achieve Life Without Disease®. The presentation ended with a live Q&A, with questions from participants.

Live from the Lab with LJI’s New President & CEO Erica Ollmann Saphire, Ph.D.

Sept 21, 2021

On September 21, 2021, La Jolla Institute for Immunology’s (LJI’s) newly appointed President and Chief Executive Officer Dr. Erica Ollmann Saphire shared her vision for the Institute’s future and provided her perspective on where the world stands with COVID-19. Expert insights during the virtual discussion were provided by the Institute’s Chief Scientific Officer Mitchell Kronenberg, Ph.D. Technical expertise was shared during the lab component of the presentation by Saphire Laboratory Program Manager Sharon Schendel, Ph.D., who has been the boots on the ground with the Coronavirus Immunotherapy Consortium (CoVIC), which Dr. Saphire is leading and which was highlighted in this presentation. CoVIC is a global, academic-industry, non-profit research collaboration that brings together scientists from around the world to understand which antibodies are most effective against the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, and to streamline and accelerate the research pipeline for antibody-based therapeutics needed against SARS-CoV-2.

Live from the Lab with Sonia Sharma, Ph.D., presenting Building Better Cancer Immunotherapy

June 8, 2021

LJI's Sonia Sharma, Ph.D., Associate Professor of the Institute's Center for Cancer Immunotherapy and Center for Autoimmunity and Inflammation, presented her novel research which is advancing more effective cancer immunotherapies. Dr. Sharma's work integrates cutting-edge genetics, biochemistry, and cell biology, as well as computational and translational approaches to define the key genetic mechanisms regulating cellular innate immunity, to determine how they impact human health and disease. In this Live from the Lab discussion, Dr. Sharma discussed some advances in therapies and she shared how her research with her colleagues in cancer immunotherapies supports the Institute's overarching goal – achieving Life Without Disease®.

Live from the Lab Welcomes Proteomics Expert, Sam Myers, Ph.D.

April 20, 2021

LJI’s newest faculty member and proteomics expert Sam Myers, Ph.D. described his technical research and vision for collaborating with Institute researchers and the wider San Diego science community to support LJI’s overarching goal – life without disease. Dr. Myers came to LJI in April 2021 from the Broad Institute in Cambridge, Massachusetts and is a leader in the emerging and fascinating field of proteomics (the study of proteins and their function).

What We've Learned One Year In: A Live from the Lab COVID-19 Discussion

Feb 9, 2021

La Jolla Institute for Immunology’s EVP & COO, Stephen Wilson, Ph.D. and immunology expert Alba Grifoni, Ph.D. of the Sette Laboratory synthesized what has been learned about COVID-19 in the past year as the SARS-CoV-2 puzzle has been untangled through significant advances in immunology research, much of which is being accomplished at the Institute. They also highlighted what laboratories are looking at next as the fight against the pandemic continues.

Coronavirus Updates: Live from the Laboratory w/ Erica Ollmann Saphire, Ph.D. & Sujan Shresta, Ph.D.

Nov 24, 2020

Infectious disease experts Erica Ollmann Saphire, Ph.D. and Sujan Shresta, Ph.D. shared their latest COVID-19 research, related collaborative efforts, and other observations from the field.

Live from the Laboratory with Cecilia Lindestam Arlehamn, Ph.D. and Alessandro Sette, Dr. Biol. Sci.

Oct 13, 2020

Dr. Cecilia Lindestam Arlehamn and Dr. Alessandro Sette shared their latest research progress on the role of the immune system in Parkinson’s Disease and COVID-19, as well as, a possible unexpected link between the two diseases.

Coronavirus Updates: Live from the Laboratory with Dr. Mitch Kronenberg

Sep 10, 2020

LJI President and Chief Scientific Officer, Mitchell Kronenberg, presents his perspectives regarding the scientific progress made over the past 6 months and where he anticipates science can take us as we strive to overcome this elusive virus.

Coronavirus Updates: Live from the Laboratory with Erica Ollmann Saphire, Ph.D. | Reporting Back

Jun 26, 2020

Infectious disease expert Erica Ollmann Saphire, Ph.D. shared her COVID-19 research efforts and observations from the field. She highlighted the global Coronavirus Immunotherapy Consortium (CoVIC), which she was asked to lead by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

Coronavirus Updates: Live from the Laboratory with Alessandro Sette, Dr. Biol. Sci.

May 13, 2020

One of the "world's most cited researchers" and immunology expert Alessandro 'Alex' Sette, Dr. Biol. Sci. shared his research efforts and observations from the field regarding the coronavirus and COVID-19.

Coronavirus Updates: Live from the Laboratory with Shane Crotty, Ph.D.

Apr 20, 2020

Vaccine design and infectious disease expert Shane Crotty, Ph.D. shared his research efforts and observations from the field regarding the coronavirus and COVID-19.

Coronavirus Updates: Live from the Laboratory with Erica Ollmann Saphire, Ph.D.

Apr 6, 2020

Infectious disease expert Erica Ollmann Saphire, Ph.D. shared her research efforts and observations from the field regarding the coronavirus and COVID-19.

Live from the Lab