The First FCE Collaboration Travel Grant Winner
Summary of Project
Dates: July 8–14, 2024
Participants: Georgios Tousinas (Gounari Lab, Mayo Clinic), Yeguang Hu (Georgopoulos Lab, MGH), Katia Georgopoulos (Georgopoulos Lab, MGH)
Any differences from the project description as outlined in the application?
The primary focus of the trip was to train me to independently conduct a HiChIP experiment. This trip was a great opportunity to teach me the nuances of this advanced molecular tool.
Were objectives achieved? Why or why not?
Yes, the objective was successfully achieved. We generated a high-quality HiChIP library targeting the H3K27ac histone mark, which enabled us to explore how super-enhancer duplications alter 3D chromatin architecture to promote Myc Overexpression. Furthermore, I was exposed to the lab’s bioinformatics tools used for analyzing advanced 3D chromatin assays, such as HiC and HiChIP, which greatly enriched the learning experience.
Did the objectives change?
The initial objective evolved to include hands-on training on HiChIP, in addition to exposure to bioinformatic analysis of 3D chromatin assays. This added dimension allowed me to gain a comprehensive understanding of both wet-lab and computational techniques used in the study of spatial chromatin interactions.
Report on the Technique Learned
Was the process as you anticipated?
There were minor technical challenges along the way, but they were effectively resolved thanks to the expertise of Dr. Georgopoulos’ lab. Troubleshooting the experiment alongside the experts was a great educational experience and taught me how to adapt the process when unforeseen issues arise.
Was the technique successfully learned?
Yes, I am confident that I can now independently conduct a HiChIP experiment. I am prepared to bring this knowledge back to the Gounari Lab at Mayo Clinic, where it will be essential for advancing our research on T-ALL and other cancers involving super-enhancer duplications.
Were there any obstacles?
Some experimental challenges emerged along the process, but they were addressed through collaborative problem-solving. These obstacles served as learning opportunities, deepening my understanding of the technique.
Impact Report
Describe the impact of technique sharing on overall project success
Mastering HiChIP is crucial for the success of our project, as it allows us to explore the 3D chromatin conformation changes that drive oncogenic Myc overexpression. Acquiring this skill significantly enhances our ability to decipher the molecular mechanisms of super-enhancer duplications in cancer.
Outcomes
How has the project impacted your career moving forward?
Learning this cutting-edge molecular assay equips me with a powerful tool to investigate the molecular underpinnings of T-ALL and multiple myeloma caused by Myc super-enhancer duplications. This expertise will be invaluable as I continue to explore oncogenic drivers in these diseases and beyond.
Have any other collaborations been discussed/planned?
Yes, this collaboration has opened discussions for a potential joint R01 grant submission, which would extend our partnership and further explore the molecular mechanisms underlying super-enhancer duplications in cancer.
Describe next steps, if any
We are currently analyzing the data generated from the HiChIP experiment, and the quality of the sequencing data is promising. The analysis is expected to take some time, but we anticipate groundbreaking insights into the chromatin dynamics driving Myc overexpression.
Highlights from the TCB2025 Symposium: Decoding T Cell Targets in Neurodegenerative Diseases
The TCB2025 Symposium, chaired by Wassim Elyaman (Columbia University), and co-chaired by Malú G. Tansey (Indiana University), was held on January 9-10, 2025, at the Vagelos Education Center at Columbia University in New York City, brought together experts, researchers, and trainees to explore the critical role of T cells in neurological diseases. This groundbreaking event successfully bridged the gap between basic science and therapeutic development in conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, ALS, epilepsy and other neurological diseases.
The symposium featured lectures, panel discussions, and trainee-focused short-talks and poster presentations, fostering collaboration and showcasing cutting-edge research on topics like T cell biology, immune-neural interactions, novel T cell-focused technologies, and innovative therapeutic strategies. Participants had the opportunity to engage with pioneers in the field, sparking discussions and partnerships that will shape the future of neuroimmunology.
A key feature of the event was the industry-sponsored roundtable discussion, which focused on immunotherapy strategies for neurodegenerative diseases. This interactive session brought together experts from the pharmaceutical industry to exchange ideas, identify challenges, and propose actionable solutions for advancing immunotherapy. The discussion was recorded and is now available online for those who could not attend: Watch the recording.
Thanks to the generous support of the NIH, Alzheimer’s Association, FOCIS, and other sponsors, TCB2025 provided travel awards to over 10 trainees and Underrepresented minorities (URMs) to encourage their participation. These awards enhanced diversity and gave trainees and URMs a platform to share their research and network with leaders in the field.
The event’s success was reflected in the enthusiastic participation of over 150 attendees from across the country and Europe, as well as the meaningful connections and ideas generated during the symposium.
For more information on the event or to stay updated on future opportunities, visit: https://tcellsbrain.org/
European Advanced Course & Conference on Immunology and Immunopathology
Monday, October 20 – Friday, October 24, 2025 | Rouen, Normandy, France
In 2023, our FCE had the great pleasure of hosting the FOCIS European Advanced Course and Conference on Immunology in Rouen, France (27 to 31 of August). It consisted on lectures in a “course format”, one day of scientific talks in a “congress format” and half a day dedicated to the building of a clinical trial with different examples. This course had great success, with 130 participants from 27 countries from all over the world (Image 1). Our faculty panel was composed of 30 renowned immunologists, with a large representation of FCE members among them (more than 60% of speakers). In addition, 10 of the speakers were currently FCE Directors or Associate Directors.
Thanks to the support of our 15 sponsors, we were able to keep registration fees reasonable, with special rates offered to trainees, FCE members as well as to participants from low to middle income countries. Travel awards were offered thanks to the generosity of FOCIS and the Clinical Department of IUIS and six selected awardees were given the opportunity to showcase their work through oral presentations in a dedicated session. In order to further promote the interaction between students and faculty, a poster session was organized. Encouraged by this successful outcome, we are organizing a new edition of the FOCIS European Advanced Course and Conference on Immunology in Rouen (France) from 20th to 24th of October 2025 ! https://focis2025.univ-rouen.fr/index.php.
With a similar format as the previous edition, this five-day course and conference will provide a high-quality, up-to-date comprehensive coverage of major topics in immunology and will provide the opportunity to acquire essential skills on building a clinical trial and drafting a protocol during a participative workshop. Junior researchers, who will be selected based on the quality of their submitted abstracts, will have the opportunity to share their own work. Participants in this course will get the chance to engage with renowned clinical immunology specialists through discussions and questions. The deadline for early bird registration and for travel award application is June 1st. To further facilitate participation of your FCE, your members can benefit from discounted registration rates. Registration is now open at https://focis2025.univ-rouen.fr/Actions/registration.php.
Five €500 FOCIS awards will be given after a selection process by our scientific committee. In parallel, ten travel €500 grants will be offered by IUIS (participants from LIMC countries). Three €500 travel awards will be offered by the AFM for selected abstracts focusing on neuromuscular diseases. We count on you to promote this event in your networks and of course to register your FCE members now !
FCE NEWS: Benaroya Research Institute
A Subset of Expanded Regulatory T Cells Is Linked With C-Peptide Preservation in Children With New Onset Type 1 Diabetes.
The use of regulatory T cells (Tregs) as cellular therapy for autoimmune diseases has shown to be relatively feasible and safe in clinical trials. However, optimization of Treg function, stability, and transcriptional expression appears to be required to improve the efficacy of this promising new therapeutic. In an article published last year in Science Translational Medicine, Benaroya Research Institute (BRI) scientists led by Dr. Alice Long in collaboration with Dr. Stephen Gitelman at the University of California, San Francisco and Dr. Kurt Griffin at Sanford Health and now at BRI explored the safety and potential efficacy of in vitro polyclonally expanded (expTregs) for the treatment of new-onset type 1 diabetes (T1D). The T-Rex study, a phase 2 trial, followed children and adolescent patients over 2 years who were treated with either low-dose expTregs, high-dose expTregs, or placebo. The primary endpoint used to assess efficacy was C-peptide preservation. Although treatment with expTregs did not statistically affect C-peptide preservation in either of the dosage groups compared to placebo, Dr. Christine Bender in Alice Long’s lab at BRI noticed a difference in the rate at which some Tregs expanded in vitro. Interestingly, Drs. Bender and Long found that the expTregs that expanded at a slower rate had a unique gene expression signature and resulted in a greater preservation of C-peptide in patients. This suggests that the unique gene signature and slower rate of expansion could be used as a biomarker for effective treatment to slow the progression of T1D. Furthermore, this study highlights the need for a better understanding of expTreg biology in order to utilize them for autoimmune disease therapies.
FCE NEWS: Yale Human and Translational Immunology Program
Yale February 2025 Immunology Update
Kevin O’Connor
Trainee recognition:
Alexandra Bayer-Wildberger, PhD, a post-doctoral associate in the lab of Kevin O’Connor, PhD, has been selected as a MGNet Scholar by the Myasthenia Gravis Rare Disease Network (MGNet). MGNet is part of the National Institutes of Health’s Rare Diseases Clinical Research Network. The grant, “Defining the molecular pathomechanisms of AChR-IgM autoantibodies in myasthenia gravis,” funds one year of research with the possibility of a one-year renewal and will begin in February 2025. With the support of the grant, Dr. Bayer-Wildberger aims to understand the role of antigen-specific IgM in myasthenia gravis (MG).
Highlight on Bayer-Wildberger can be found down the page at https://medicine.yale.edu/myysm/news/newsletter-issue/ysm-news-and-recognition-01-08-2025/ or at https://www.rarediseasesnetwork.org/news/consortium/2024-12/mgnet-announces-2025-scholars
Liza Konnikova
Liza Konnikova, MD, PhD, FAAP has been elected to the American Society for Clinical Investigation (ASCI). The ASCI is a nonprofit medical honor society composed of more than 3,000 physician-scientists representing all medical specialties. The Society is dedicated to the advancement of research that extends understanding of diseases and improves treatment, and members are committed to mentoring future generations of physician-scientists.
Ellen Foxman
Ellen Foxman, MD, PhD was honored to give the Sidney Pestka Lecture at the Philadelphia Infection and Immunity Forum in December 2024. The award honors investigators who have made advances in the field of interferon research.
Foxman Publications:
The live attenuated measles vaccine is given as a parenteral vaccine but induces robust mucosal immunity. In a collaborative project with the John Hopkins School of Public Health, the Foxman laboratory and collaborators in Yale Pediatrics showed that the live attenuated measles virus frequently traffics to the respiratory tract post-vaccination in both children and macaques. In macaques, respiratory trafficking of the vaccine virus correlated with protection from measles virus detection in the respiratory tract upon re-challenge. This study was published in Journal of Infectious Diseases, and is dedicated to our late co-author, Prof. Diane Griffin, who leaves behind a legacy of contributions to infectious diseases and vaccine immunology.
The paper can be found at: https://academic.oup.com/jid/advance-article/doi/10.1093/infdis/jiae537/7874761.
Obituary describing Dr. Griffin’s legacy can be found at https://publichealth.jhu.edu/2024/in-memoriam-diane-edmund-griffin-md-phd-1940-2024.
Children are more susceptible to many respiratory viruses than adults, but showed much lower morbidity and mortality with COVID-19. In work published in 2024 in the Journal of Experimental Medicine, Timothy Watkins et al. show that nasal viruses & pro-inflammatory bacteria are very common in children with and without respiratory symptoms (90% of symptomatic and ~50% of asymptomatic <5yrs) and activate nasal innate immune defenses. In people with COVID-19, better nasal defenses correlated with less severe infections. This study suggests that heightened nasal defenses from frequent colds and other common infections may have helped protect young children against serious illness from COVID-19. This paper was selected by JEM for the “Year in Experimental Medicine” collection as one of the top papers of 2024.
The paper can be found at https://rupress.org/jem/article/221/9/e20230911/276830/High-burden-of-viruses-and-bacterial-pathobionts.
A CME module based on this paper for 1 CME credit is available free of charge at https://mskcc.cloud-cme.com/course/courseoverview?P=0&EID=49555.
A short video by Tim Watkins explaining the results can be found at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0J8v2OXSXtM.
John Tsang
Human Immunome Project
An initiative to generate the world’s largest and most diverse human immunological dataset is underway. The Human Immunome Project (HIP), which is scientifically co-led by John S. Tsang (Yale University) and Shai Shen-Orr (Technion), is an initiative to comprehensively profile the immune system of populations around the globe, including Africa, Australia, East Asia, Europe, the Middle East, North America, and South America. “Hub sites” will be established around the globe, each of which will aim to collect longitudinal blood samples (and in a subset of participants, select tissues will also be collected) from ~500-1,000 participants over a 5-year period, including samples before and after vaccination. Samples collected will be analyzed to generate immune profiling data (e.g., multimodal single cell, circulating protein, and antibody reactivity data) that will empower the development of AI models of the human immune system and its connection to physiology. A key HIP aim is to develop an Immune Monitoring Kit (IMK). The IMK will be an optimized collection of assays that will allow for standardized capture of multi-omic and immunological profiling data from populations across the globe. The IMK will be progressively refined by using the data collected in earlier stages of the project, with the goal of developing a highly standardized, cost effective, robust, and portable IMK deployable anywhere in the world. If you are interested in learning more, please visit https://www.humanimmunomeproject.org/ . If you are interested in getting involved, please email Allysia Matthews (allysia.matthews@yale.edu).
Tsang Publication:
John Tsang, along with members of his research group and other colleagues, has published a paper in Nature Medicine entitled “A unified metric of human immune health” that is of interest to the FOCIS community. In this study, transcriptomic, serum protein, peripheral immune cell frequency, and clinical data from 228 patients with monogenic immune conditions and 42 healthy controls were integrated using machine learning techniques to develop a novel immune health metric (IHM). The IHM went beyond marking disease states such as autoimmunity and heart failure as it also captured immune health differences in clinically healthy subjects, for example, due to healthy aging. This work also provides a web platform for calculating IHM in transcriptomic or proteomic datasets: https://panmonogenic.yale.edu/. This work has revealed shared systemic immune changes across diverse conditions and provides a quantitative tool to measure human immune health. Further development of the IHM concept could advance our ability to assess immune health in individuals and populations, and empower precision medicine advances.
The paper can be found at https://www.nature.com/articles/s41591-024-03092-6.