La Jolla Institute for Immunology

07/02/2025

LJI has joined Bluesky! You can find our updates at the link below, as the growing social media platform is now our preferred online stage for scientific engagement. Created by X's original developers, Bluesky offers a decentralized, independent feed showing only followed accounts. It's idea for sharing discoveries, fostering dialogue, and connecting with researchers, institutions, and funders. Follow us for updates and insights:

A world leading biomedical research institute focused on finding cures faster for cancers, infectious and immune system diseases. Learn more: lji.org

01/10/2025

Thanks to the generous support of our Tullie and Rickey Families SPARK Awards for Innovations in Immunology donors this year, as well as the Tullie and Rickey families’ continuous investments in the program, we are thrilled to announce that we will be fully funding 6️⃣ SPARK projects in 2025. ✨

Meet the next cohort of rising stars in immunology by scrolling...

01/03/2025

Update: T cells may offer some protection in an H5N1 ‘spillover’ scenario. This LJI study was previously shared on bioRxiv in September 2024. Since then, health officials have reported a rise in H5N1 “bird flu” infections in humans, including the first severe H5N1 human case requiring hospitalization. Officials have also reported increased cases in feline species, including an outbreak among big cats at a wildlife sanctuary. In California, the recent spread of H5N1 to dairy herds in Southern California prompted Gov. Gavin Newsom to declare a “State of Emergency” on Dec. 18, 2024.

Update: This LJI study was previously shared on bioRxiv in September 2024. Since then, health officials have reported a rise in H5N1 “bird flu” infections in humans, including the first severe H5N1 human case requiring hospitalization. Officials have also reported increased cases in feline speci...

12/11/2024

Scientific breakthroughs begin with bold ideas. SPARK finalists Laura Hinojosa and Hsueh-Han “Dupon” Lu are driving cutting-edge research that could redefine reproductive health and vaccine development:

🔬 Laura Hinojosa is investigating how hormonal contraceptives impact key immune cells—a crucial step toward safer, more personalized birth control options.

💉 Hsueh-Han “Dupon” Lu is developing a novel mRNA vaccine booster that could provide long-term protection against infectious diseases with a single dose.

These promising scientists are shaping the future of medical research—but they can’t do it alone. Your support fuels discoveries that could transform lives. Learn more about their projects and how you can help: lji.org/SPARK.

11/27/2024

Endometriosis affects 1 in 10 women, yet its immune roots are unclear. 2025 SPARK finalist Dr. Amparo Martínez Pérez is investigating T cells in menstrual blood to explore their role in this disease, aiming to improve diagnostics and treatments.

Fellow finalist Dr. Remi Marrocco is studying how sex-based immune differences in ILC1 cells influence disease risk and response, potentially advancing personalized therapies for autoimmune disease, infection, and cancer.

These early-career scientists are poised to transform human health—but they need your support to ignite their journey. Giving Tuesday is on December 3 and we hope you will join us in empowering the next wave of innovators shaping the future of medical research. 🌟

Learn more about their inspiring projects: lji.org/SPARK

11/12/2024

We are thrilled to introduce the eight 2025 Tullie and Rickey Families SPARK Awards for Innovations in Immunology finalists competing for a 2025 SPARK Award! ✨

These exceptional scientists have proposed groundbreaking projects that push the boundaries of immunology, all dedicated to advancing LJI’s vision of Life Without Disease. We invite you to learn more about this year's investigators and their cutting-edge independent research projects: https://donate.lji.org/campaign/la-jolla-institutes-spark-fund-2024/c628319

11/04/2024

Shout out to artist Patricia Pauchnick and the design team at Creative Fusion for helping us highlight viruses, bacteria, and much more in the latest issue of LJI's Immune Matters Magazine!

10/31/2024

The Infectious Disease Exploration and Abatement (IDEA) Facility at La Jolla Institute for Immunology (LJI) is where scientists come face-to-face with pathogens. Our latest issue of Immune Matters offers a window how LJI scientists are harnessing this high containment lab for preparedness research:
https://bit.ly/3C5rik6

10/30/2024

Updated media alert: LJI scientist Sujan Shresta, Ph.D., is available to comment on dengue vaccine research — following the report of second locally transmitted dengue case in San Diego. To arrange an interview with Dr. Shresta, please follow the link:
https://www.lji.org/news-events/news/post/expert-alert-san-diego-scientist-available-to-comment-on-local-dengue-case/

10/30/2024

How can we protect the globe from future pandemics? LJI Professor, President & CEO Erica Ollmann Saphire, Ph.D., MBA., shares exciting new research to improve vaccines, therapies, and international collaborations https://bit.ly/3YBfpLy

10/29/2024

LJI's Sydney Ramirez, M.D., Ph.D., has seen firsthand how COVID-19 patients have suffered. Today, she’s working to better understand pathogen-host interactions and help guide future vaccine development. Learn more: https://bit.ly/4dQsTaU