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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Naive B Cells with High-Avidity Germline-EncodedAntigen Receptors Produce Persistent IgM+andTransient IgG+Memory B Cells
Immune memory often lasts for life, this is not the case for certain vaccines in some individuals. By studying B cell responses to phycoerythrin, in the June 2018 issue of Immunity, Pape et al. find that memory B cell responses can be shortlived when generated from precursors that experience unusually strong early signals of avid antigen binding via germline-encoded VH elements. Read more
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Intravital mucosal imaging of CD8+ resident memory T cells shows tissue-autonomous recall responses that amplify secondary memory
Using two-photon intravital microscopy to visualize the responses of CD8+ resident memory T cells (Trm cells), Post Doctoral fellows in Masopust, Vezys, and Fife labs found that the Trm cells were highly motile but would pause and undergo in situ division after antigen challenge. Read more
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Co-housing with pet store mice changes the immune system of laboratory mice
Nature highlights the work of Lalit Beura, Sara Hamilton, Marc Jenkins, Vaiva Vezys, Steve Jameson, Dave Masopust, et.al. and their evidence of how laboratory rodents can skew immunology research but that "dirty mice" can clean up the results Read more
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Cutting Edge: Dual TCRa Expression Poses an Autoimmune Hazard by Limiting Regulatory T cell Generation
In cutting edge research performed by the students and Post Doctoral fellows in the labs of Fife, Hogquist and Binstadt the hypothesis that dual TCR expression can promote autoimmunity by limiting agonist selection of self-reactive thymocytes is revisited . Read more
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Chrysalis: A New Method for High-Throughput Histo-Cytometry Analysis of Images and Movies
Advances in imaging have led to the development of powerful multispectral, quantitative imaging techniques, like histo-cytometry. The utility of this approach is limited, however, by the need for time-consuming manual image analysis. In an effort to address the time issue, Kotov and Pengo et al. created the software Chrysalis along with a suite of Imaris Xtensions to batch image processing and analysis to automate the processing workflow for confocal, epi-fluorescence, and two-photon microscopy images. Read more
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CD8αα+ Intraepithelial Lymphocytes Arise from Two Major Thymic Precursors
In an article published in Nature Immunology, Post Doctoral Fellows Ruscher and Lee from the Hogquist and Jameson lab wanted to better define the thymic IEL precursor, and were able to provide an important foundation for understanding the biology of CD8αα IELs. Read More
Latest News
The Center for Immunology mourns the passing of Dr. Malcolm Blumenthal
Dr. Malcolm Blumenthal passed away on November 14th, see full write up in the Star Tribune. Dr. Blumenthal received his medical degree at the University of Minnesota and, upon completion of his medical residency, he continued the medical practice his father had started to treat asthma, atopic disease, and immunogenetics. Dr. Blumenthal was known as a great teacher and researcher, but more important to him was his commitment to serving others. Thus, he set up the Dr. J.S. & H.R. Blumenthal Memorial Lectureship at the UMN to honor both his parents' work in education and the advancement of immunologic research. Since 1963, the Lectureship has hosted outstanding researchers in the field of Allergy and Immunology. The Center for Immunology is dedicated to continuing the Lectureship in honor of all the work done by the Blumenthals. As part of Dr. Blumenthal's legacy, the family has requested memorials to the Dr. J.S. & H.S. Blumenthal Memorial Lectureship or by mail to the UMN Foundation, P.O. Box 860266, Minneapolis, MN 55486.
Path to Publication: A Workshop on Preparing Peer Reviewed Manuscripts
The Pathway to Publication workshop is scheduled for Dec. 6, 12:30 - 4 pm in the McNamara Alumni Center. All assistant professors or any other faculty are encouraged to attend this half-day, interactive workshop on how to write for peer-reviewed journals. Fellows, post-docs, and research associates may register but will be placed on a wait list. Final confirmation and a reminder will be sent out prior to the workshop.Here is the link to register.
P3 Program: Proposal Preparation Program
Assistant professors and early-career associate professors are encouraged to apply to the AHC Proposal Preparation Program (P3) beginning on January 9, 2019. This four month program provides interactive, peer grant writing group support for early-career faculty to help prepare for their first K-or R-series NIH grant proposal. Deadline to register is November 30. For more information, look here.
Dave Masopust is named the 2018 inductee into the AHC Academy for Excellence in Health Research
The Center for Immunology would like to congratulate Dave Masopust as he is honored with the highest recognition of excellence in research by AHC faculty. The AHC Academy for Excellence in Health Research is given to members of the University community that have enhanced the research identity of the University of Minnesota on a national and international level. On November 20, 2018 Dave joined over 42 other faculty members from across the AHC who have been inducted into the Academy since 2003.
Dr. Marc Jenkins, director of the Center for Immunology, is named a University of Minnesota Regents Professor
The Center for Immunology would like to congratulate Dr. Marc Jenkins, as he is bestowed one of the University of Minnesota's highest honors, the Regents Professorship. This program not only recognizes the national and international prominence of the faculty member, but it also acknowledges the exceptional contributions that have been made to the University through teaching, research, scholarship, creative work, and collaboration with others.
Dr. Jenkins exemplifies all the characteristics of a Regents Professor and is one of the world’s most distinguished immunologists. Dr. Jenkins will be honored at the Board of Regents meeting on Friday, September 14, 2018.
CFI welcomes our newest faculty member, Tyler Bold, M.D., Ph.D.
Tyler obtained his M.D./Ph.D. at New York University focusing on T cell immunology in tuberculosis with mentor Dr. Joel Ernst, he went on to do his postdoctoral research with Dr. Eric Rubin at Harvard University on genetic approaches to manipulate tuberculosis pathogenesis. As a physician-scientist who specializes in treating patients with infectious diseases, he completed clinical training at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Massachusetts General Hospital. His research at the UMN will focus on using advanced genetic tools in Mycobacterium tuberculosis to understand the targets and mechanisms of protective immunity in tuberculosis, as well as novel methods by which the bacteria evade immune destruction. He seeks to exploit this information to guide efforts to produce an effective vaccine for this devastating infection. Tyler is thrilled to be returning to the Midwest to join the incredible community of scientists at the Center for Immunology. Stop by his office on the second floor of WMBB and introduce yourself.
CFI's Checkpoint Bikers finish Chainbreaker18 to raise money for cancer research
The goal of the Chainbreaker bike-a-thon is to provide Masonic Cancer Center's doctors and researchers with the necessary resources to discover cures for all cancers with 100% of rider-raised dollars going directly to the cause. The 2nd Annual Chainbreaker took place August 10-12, 2018. This year, members from CFI and the Department of Microbiology and Immunology rode again. The peloton called Checkpoint Bikers is inspired by the immune checkpoint blockade therapy that has revolutionized the treatment of certain cancers. This year the team has already raised over $25,000 but is aiming to exceed last year's total of $36,000. If you would like to donate to the peloton, click here.
Research ethics at the University of Minnesota
We are committed to protecting research participants, upholding ethical standards, and improving our practice at every step of our work.
Announcements
U of MN Faculty
Become a Member
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Tea and Talk!!
every Monday and Thursday
2:30 p.m. | 2-163 WMBB
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December 10
Immunology Journal Club
Changwei Peng-Jameson lab
9:00-10:00 a.m. | 2-115 CCRB
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CADRe Monthly Discussion Group
Anna Shmagel, MD
"Cardiovascular risk factor management in seropositive rheumatoid arthritis"
9:00-10:00 a.m. | 3-143 WMBB
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Immunology-MICaB Invited Speaker Seminar
Martin Prlic, Ph.D.
Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center
"A Single-Cell Analysis Pipeline to Define Immune Responses in Human Mucosal Tissues"
12:00-1:00 p.m.| 1-125 CCRB
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December 11
Kevin Henry, PhD
Assistant Professor and Graduate Program Chair Geography and Urban Studies Temple University
"Geospatial Approaches to Cancer Control and Population Sciences"
9:00-10:00 a.m. | 1-125 CCRB
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Infection and Immunity Research Conference
James Neaton, PhD
Professor, Biostatistics
"Trials and tribulations of finding an effective treatment for severe influenza."
12:00-1:00 p.m. | 2-224 CCRB (lunch provided)
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December 12
Hogquist Lab
1:30-2:30 p.m. | 1-125 CCRB
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4:00-5:00 p.m. | Surgery Conference Room, 11-157 PWB
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December 13
MICaB Student Seminar
Wade Bresnahan
Prelim Exam Overview-Mandatory attendance for 2nd yr PhD and 1st year MD/PhD students
12:00-1:00 p.m. | 2-102 CMRR
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December 14
"Women in Industry: Career panel and discussion"
12:00-1:00 p.m. | 1-110 MTRF (RSVP here)
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December 17
9:00-10:00 a.m. | 2-115 CCRB
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December 17
12:00-1:00 p.m.| 1-125 CCRB
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December 18
Pamala Jacobson PharmD
Professor, Experimental & Clinical Pharmacology, University of Minnesota
"Pharmacogenomics of Germline Mutations for Predicting Cancer Drug Response and Toxicity"
9:00-10:00 a.m. | 2-115 CCRB
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Looking for a place to write?
If you are writing and need a quiet place to gather your thoughts, we have a spot for you.
See Annette Bethke, 2-142 WMBB to check out the office key.