The Department of Immunology at the University of Toronto celebrated its 40th anniversary with an event reflecting on its remarkable journey and the significant contributions it has made to the field of immunology since its inception in 1984. The event spanned an entire day and took place at the historical Hart House on campus grounds. The department, known for its interdisciplinary approach and excellence in research and education, has become a hub for pioneering studies that have advanced our understanding of the immune system and its role in health and disease.
The day started with opening remarks from the current Immunology departmental chair, Dr. Jen Gommerman and the interim Dean of the Temerty Faculty of Medicine, Dr. Patricia Houston. They reminded us of the rich history of the department, reminiscing on the good times spent with colleagues and friends at the department through the decades. The Great Hall at Hart House was lined with chairs full of alumni and current members of the department, eager to hear all about the discoveries and experiences of their current and former colleagues. There was a collective sense of pride in the room for the many notable accomplishments of the members that constitute the Department of Immunology.
The morning research symposium opened the dais to distinguished scientists of the likes of Akiko Iwasaki, Natalia Pikor, Lisa Wager, and Alberto Martin.
Dr. Akiko Iwasaki from Yale University, a prominent immunologist known for her work on viral infections and immune responses, presented her research on “Acute Infection Syndrome.” Dr. Iwasaki discussed the four main root causes of long COVID: viral reservoirs, autoimmunity, tissue damage, and latent virus reactivation. Her findings highlighted potential therapeutic targets and emphasized the importance of understanding the diverse mechanisms underlying long COVID to develop effective treatment strategies.
Dr. Natalia Pikor, from ETH Zurich, shared her research on the role of fibroblasts in steering antiviral immunity. She highlighted the significance of localized niche factor production by different types of fibroblasts in supporting immune cell function. Her work demonstrated how fibroblasts maintain an activated status to support immune memory cells in tissues, with implications for enhancing immune responses and developing targeted therapies.
Dr. Lisa Wager, from UC Irvine, presented her innovative approach to predicting immunogenicity using human tonsil organoids. Her research involved creating organoids, which are three-dimensional tissue models to study organs, consisting of dissociated tonsil cells. These tonsil organoids are used to study adaptive immune cells, called B and T cells, upon stimulation. This model allows researchers to recapitulate human immune responses and investigate the factors contributing to variation in vaccine efficacy, paving the way for personalized vaccine strategies.
Dr. Alberto Martin, a current professor at the department, delved into the mechanisms of DNA mutation and repair during antibody maturation. His work focused on mechanisms that facilitate protein degradation during the maturation of the B cell receptor, that allow for antibody diversification events to proceed. Dr. Martin’s findings have significant implications for understanding immune diversity and the development of therapeutic strategies for autoimmune diseases and cancer.
Lunch was accompanied by a career panel for the students to learn more about the career opportunities in Immunology. Dr. Gayle Pulle, from Health Canada; Dr. Sara Hamilton, from Cell Reports Medicine; and Dr. Amy Berkley, from Radiant Biotherapeutics, were the three panelists for this popular segment.
The symposium also featured presentations on HIV research, highlighting the department’s contributions to understanding and combating this global health challenge. Dr. Kiera Clayton, from the University of Massachusetts, presented her work on the interactions between two immune cell players important in anti-viral responses, Natural Killer (NK) cells and CD8+ T cells, and their combined effort in targeting HIV-infected cells, like CD4+ T cells. Her research revealed how incomplete NK cell killing sensitizes surviving infected cells to subsequent CD8+ T cell-mediated killing, providing insights into potential therapeutic strategies to enhance immune clearance of HIV.
Dr. Brad Jones, from Cornell University, discussed his research on engaging cellular immunity to cure HIV. He focused on the persistence of HIV reservoirs in long-term infections and the mechanisms by which infected CD4+ T cells escape immune clearance. Dr. Jones’s work identified potential targets for therapeutic interventions to eliminate HIV reservoirs and achieve a functional cure.
Dr. Klaus Okkenhaug from the University of Cambridge explored the role of PI3Kδ, an enzyme found in immune cells, as a target for cancer immunotherapy. His research highlighted the complex and context-dependent functions of PI3Kδ in T cells, particularly in regulatory T cells. Dr. Okkenhaug’s findings underscored the potential of targeting PI3Kδ to enhance anti-tumor immunity and improve cancer treatment outcomes.
Dr. Oscar A. Aguilar from UCSF discussed his work on Fc-receptor-mediated responses in NK cells. He highlighted species differences in CD16 signaling between humans and mice, providing insights into how these differences can inform the development of NK cell-based therapies for cancer and infectious diseases.
The event concluded in the Hart House courtyard with toasts celebrating the department’s achievements and outlining its vision for the future. Speakers, including Dr. Tak Mak, Dr. Jen Gommerman, Dr. Gillian Wu, Dr. Brian Barber, Dr. Michelle Letarte, and Dr. Tania Watts, emphasized the department’s commitment to fostering a collaborative and supportive environment for students and researchers. They highlighted the importance of mentorship, interdisciplinary research, and the development of innovative solutions to address global health challenges.
The department’s success is also attributed to its strong connections with research hospitals and its emphasis on female representation in faculty roles from its early years. As it continues to lead in the field, the Department of Immunology at the University of Toronto remains dedicated to advancing scientific knowledge and training the next generation of immunologists. Supported by sponsors such as BD, STEMCELL, and Thermo Fisher Scientific, the event was a testament to the department’s impact and its potential to drive future innovations in Immunology. Congratulations to the Department of Immunology at University of Toronto on completing 40 years!
Manjula Kamath
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