The Center for Immunology is an interdisciplinary research program at the University of Minnesota devoted to advancing the field of immunology and educating future immunologists.
Autoimmunity • Cancer • Vaccines • Cures
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Latest News
Binstadt Lab is hiring a new Post Doctoral Fellow
The Binstadt Lab in the University of Minnesota’s Center for Immunology seeks a new post-doctoral
fellow. This individual will work together with our team to explore mechanisms of cardiovascular
inflammation in the setting of systemic autoimmunity.
Applicants must hold a Ph.D. degree in biological science and have a recent track record of publication
of first-author peer-reviewed manuscripts.
● Preference will be given to applicants with Ph.D. degrees in Immunology (particularly
Autoimmunity) and/or expertise in Vascular Biology, particularly the role of inflammation in the
cardiovascular system.
● Experience working with small animal models, flow cytometry, immunofluorescent microscopy,
and analysis of transcriptomic data (e.g. scRNASeq) or similar large datasets is preferred.
● Preference will be given to applicants with demonstrated expertise in developing scientific
protocols, scientific writing, and outstanding letters of reference.
Please apply online using job code 340404. Also, email a curriculum vitae and a cover letter to Bryce
Binstadt, MD, Ph.D. Full job description here.
AAI bestows their highest honor the Lifetime Achievement Award to Dr. Marc Jenkins
The American Association of Immunologists (AAI) has bestowed their highest honor on Dr. Marc Jenkins. The 2020-21 Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes a deserving AAI member for a career of scientific achievement and for contributions to AAI and fellow immunologists and to the field of immunology. For more information on all of Dr. Jenkins's achievements go here. CFI would like to extend our congratulations and thank Dr. Jenkins for his guidance and leadership as well as the inspiration he inspires as a teacher, mentor, and scientist to those not only at our University but worldwide. The Virtual IMMUNOLOGY2021™ will be held May 10–15, the AAI Lifetime Achievement Award will be presented to Dr. Jenkins on Monday, May 10, 2021, at 10:30 a.m Check out the lineup of speakers here: z.umn.edu/6sqe
Dr. Kris Hogquist has been named a 2021 Distinguished Fellow of AAI
Dr. Kris Hogquist has been Kris has been named a 2021 distinguished Fellow of the American Association of Immunologists(AAI). This program is one of the highest honors bestowed by AAI. Members are recognized for their distinguished careers in the field of immunology; the new class of distinguished fellows has shown exceptional leadership to the immunology community at a national or international level; notable distinction as an educator and outstanding scientific contributions, as well as their service to AAI. CFI would like to congratulate Dr. Hogquist on a well-deserved honor. Meet the class of 2021. The Virtual IMMUNOLOGY2021™ will be held May 10–15, the AAI Distinguished Fellows Class of 2020 and Class of 2021 Acknowledgment will be held on Thursday, May 13, 2021, from 5:00-7:00 p.m. Check out the lineup of speakers here: z.umn.edu/6sqe
Congratulations!!
Stromnes Lab receives RO1 to continue studies of a preclinical pancreatic cancer model
Dr. Ingunn Stromnes and her lab have received an RO1 grant to continue their studies on a preclinical pancreatic cancer model. The RO1 is based on the work done by Dr. Adam Burrack. His recent first author J. Immunol and Cell Report papers have identified a mechanistic basis for T cell exhaustion in pancreatic cancer and a feasible clinical strategy to overcome it. Dr. Stromnes has also received a grant from the Randy Shaver Cancer Research and Community Fund. The fund supports the cancer community in Minnesota by funding research, prevention, treatment, and other programs relating to the cancer community’s needs. Dr. Stromnes and her lab will work on the role of Trem2 on pancreatic cancer progression and immunotherapy response
Dr. KrisHogquist receives NIAID funding to study how CD1d protects mice during natural infection
The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) has awarded LMP professor and CFI Associate Director Kristin Hogquist, Ph.D. a two-year grant to study “How CD1d protects mice during natural infection.”
Dr. Nicholas Jarjour is awarded a grant to study tissue-resident memory T cells
The Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation has awarded Nicholas Jarjour, Ph.D., a post-doctoral research associate in the Jameson Laboratory, a four-year research grant to study “Antigen-independent proliferation of tissue-resident memory T cells and therapeutic applications.” Dr. Jarjour is developing antigen-independent methods to stimulate the innate proliferative capacity of tissue-resident CD8+ T cells, based on cytokine signaling molecules. This approach could increase the efficacy of existing checkpoint blockade therapies on resistant tumors and aid in vaccine development.
Drs. Hamilton Hart and Schuldt receive funds to develop a model of human neonatal and infant immune responses
Sara Hamilton Hart, Ph.D. is a Co-Investigator together with PI pediatric rheumatologist Nathan Schuldt, Ph.D. for their proposal to develop “An Improved Model of human neonatal and infant immune responses.” Funding is from the Masonic Cross-Departmental Grants in Children’s Health.
Dr. David Masopust is named as one of the recipients of the Minnesota Partnership for Biotechnology and Medical Genomics Award
This marks the partnership's 17th year of spearheading new scientific ideas from Minnesota to improve the health of, and health care for, Minnesotans. The state-funded grants for these team science proposals total nearly $5 million. Projects are selected based on the quality and rigor of the proposed research, the importance of the medical need, and the potential for future commercialization. Each team includes investigators from Mayo Clinic and the University of Minnesota. It’s required that the studies be collaborative and that the projects could not be pursued by either institution alone. David Masopust, Ph.D., UMN, and Michael Barry, Ph.D., Mayo Clinic will work on the following: "Developing vaccination regimens that generate multifunctional, long-lived, and re-activatable B and T cell immunity for SARS-CoV-2". The full list of award-winning projects and awardees for 2021.
Join REJUS and EWIS for our monthly discussions on race and gender inequality!!
Marc Jenkins recently announced the formation of Restorative Justice for the Underrepresented in Science (ReJUS) at the CFI. ReJUS was born in the wake of the murder of George Floyd, nationwide protests on racial discrimination and discriminatory policing practices including the use of deadly force against black persons. These events have shaken our world, and have been a very painful reminder of our collective silence and complicity in maintaining the status quo and allowing racial injustice to go unchallenged. While centuries of institutionalized racism is daunting to correct as individuals, as a collective of scientists, we can reassess our individual and institutional beliefs, practices, norms, and culture and set them on a more just and equitable course.
ReJUS Signup Form
Please also consider joining EWIS. Both of these groups will be working together on many shared goals.
Securing your Zoom meeting
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Marc Jenkins elected to the National Academy of Sciences!
CFI is honored to announce that our Director Marc Jenkins, PhD has been elected to the National Academy of Sciences. Marc's achievement is especially notable in that it has been over 50 years since a UMN Medical School faculty member has been added to this impressive organization of the country’s leading researchers. The National Academy of Sciences elects new members in recognition of their distinguished and continuing achievements in original research. Membership is a widely accepted mark of excellence in science and is considered one of the highest honors that a scientist can receive. Current NAS membership totals approximately 2,400 members and 500 foreign associates, of which approximately 190 have received Nobel prizes. Dr. Marc Jenkins has led a distinguished career whose scientific endeavors have answered critical questions in the field of immunology…. Marc is an exemplary scientist, educator, mentor, and advisor. To read more about Marc's accomplishments please click here. We are planning a virtual celebration to honor Dr. Jenkins. Please watch for more details on how to join our celebration, dates and time of the celebration will be listed here and on our Twitter account, @CFI_UMN.
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CD40 Agonist Overcomes T Cell Exhaustion Induced by Chronic Myeloid Cell IL-27 Production in a Pancreatic Cancer Preclinical Model
The Stromnes lab was recently awarded an RO1 based on the work led by Dr. Adam Burrack. His recent first author J. Immunol and Cell Report papers have identified a mechanistic basis for T cell exhaustion in pancreatic cancer and a feasible clinical strategy to overcome it.
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Expansible residence decentralizes immune homeostasis
While working on his doctoral thesis in the Masopust lab, Sathi Wijeyesinghe found that expansibility and tissue residency are generalizable qualities that underlie immune homeostasis, building on our initial exploration of resident memory T cell durability and maintenance, his "story" can be read in the March 2021 edition of Nature.
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MHC class II tetramers engineered for enhanced binding to CD4 improve detection of antigen-specific T cells.
In the May 2021 issue of Nature Biotechnology, a study led by Dr. T. Dileepan from the Jenkins group examined the effect of MHC class II tetramers engineered for enhanced binding, to improve the detection of low-affinity CD4 antigen-specific T cells go.nature.com/337Y6nY
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T cell memory: Understanding COVID-19
As the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has progressed, increasing attention has focused on establishing natural and vaccine-induced immunity against this coronavirus and the disease, COVID-19, that it causes. In the 2021 preprint issue of Immunity, Jarjour, Masopust and Jameson explain the fundamental features of T cell memory and their potential relevance for effective immunity to SARS-CoV-2. Read here -
Limited proliferation capacity of aortic intima resident macrophages requires monocyte recruitment for atherosclerotic plaque progression
A study published in Nature Immunology which was led by Jesse Williams has formed new answers regarding atherosclerosis, the build-up of fats, cholesterol and other substances in and on the artery walls. Read here.
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Thymic regulatory T cells arise via two distinct developmental programs
The developmental programs that generate a broad repertoire of regulatory T cells (Treg cells) able to respond to both self-antigens and non-self antigens remain unclear. Here the Farrar lab et al. found that mature Treg cells were generated through two distinct developmental programs involving CD25+ Treg cell progenitors and Foxp3lo Treg cell progenitors (Foxp3lo TregP cells). Read more
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We are committed to protecting research participants, upholding ethical standards, and improving our practice at every step of our work.
Announcements
Tea and Talk!!
9:00-10:00am|Zoom:here
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MICaB-Immunology Invited Speaker Seminar
Returns Fall 2021
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CFI Tea and Talk Time
2:30-3:00pm|Zoom:here
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BGREAT and OPD Seminars:
calendar
11:30am – 12:30pm___________________________
Tues. Seminars: May 18
Cancer Center Seminar Series
Check website for Zoom info.
Next Meeting: May 25
9:00-10:00 a.m.|Zoom:here
Next Meeting: June 8
11:00-12:00 p.m.|Zoom:here
BGREAT and OPD Seminars:
calendar
Navigating USA JOBS
10:00am – 11:30am|Register
Grant Writing: Federal Agency Funding Basics
10am – 11am|Register
SciPhD @ UMN
3pm – 5pm|Register
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Wed. Seminars: May 19
All-Medical School COVID-19 Forum
Post forum questions can be submitted here|Register
Next Meeting: check here
9:15-10:00 a.m.| Zoom:here
"Novel immunoregulatory molecules coordinating PKC and PKA activities to balance immunity in dendritic cells: Role of Pde1b and AIF1 in cDC1"
12pm – 1pm
1:00pm – 1:45pm|
3pm – 5pm|____________________
Immunology Supergroup
Open
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Thurs. Seminars: May 20
MICaB Student Seminar Series
Check calendar for ZOOM info
Returns Fall 2021
__________________IBP/MD Center Seminar Series
Dr. Christina Camell
12:00-1:00 p.m.| Zoom:here
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BGREAT and OPD Seminars
Check calendar for all events
Mindsets and the Power of Perspectives
12pm – 1pm|Register
Mindful Communication at Work: An Approach for Creating More Inclusive and Engaged Teams
12pm – 1pm|Register here
3pm – 5pm|
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Friday Seminars: May 21
BGREAT and OPD Seminars
Check calendar for events
Career Exploration Series: Science Education and Outreach
1:30-2:30pm|Register
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Save the dates:
Hernandez Moura Silva, PhD
Lafaille lab, Skirball Institute of Biomolecular Medicine, New York University Langone Medical Center
“c-MAF dependent perivascular macrophages regulate diet-induced metabolic syndrome".
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