A document by Eduardo Villablanca . Click on the document to view its contents.

In science and academia, success is often shaped by both knowledge and networking. Reflecting on nearly two decades in academic research, I recount my experience as a postdoctoral immunologist returning to Australia with limited local connections and support. Upon re-establishing myself in Australia, I initially faced barriers that restricted my visibility and collaborations. A turning point came when personal challenges motivated me to actively network, leading to valuable collaborations and career opportunities. By initiating conversations with academic leaders and peers, I expanded my network and established numerous leadership roles, even as a ‘junior’ postdoc through founding a symposium, engaging with an immunology society, volunteering on various academic and advocacy committees, contributing to public outreach and nationally advocating for gender equity in science. These experiences reinforced that networking is about fostering meaningful relationships and creating opportunities to grow professionally. I provide advice on how to increase your networks by volunteering at work, when attending conferences, through contributing to societies and building social media presence. My journey highlights the importance of being proactive in building networks, which can open doors, amplify one’s voice, and drive career advancement in science and academia.

Anti-CD19 Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR-) T cell therapies have shown promise for treating B cell malignancies, but the clinical outcome is influenced by both the CAR-T product and the patient’s immune system. The role of Tγδ cells in the context of CAR-T cell therapy remains poorly understood. This study investigates the clonal expansion, transcriptional heterogeneity, and migration profiles of Tgd cells in patients undergoing anti-CD19 CAR-T cell therapy. Longitudinal single cell multi-omics analysis was performed on Tgd cells from four patients receiving anti-CD19 CAR-T cell therapy. Single cell RNA-seq, antibody-based protein profiling (AbSeq), and full-length TCRγδ sequences revealed clonally expanded populations displaying plasticity in T cell differentiation, and temporal dynamics of large clones, suggesting ongoing expansion and differentiation. Clonally expanded Tγδ cells had heterogeneous gene expression profiles, occupying seven transcriptionally distinct clusters. Analysis of chemokine markers indicated cluster-specific homing tendencies of circulating Tγδ cells to peripheral tissues. We found unexpectedly high frequencies of Vδ1 and Vδ3 cells in the blood with distinct gene and protein expression profiles. This analysis provides insights into the dynamic and heterogeneous nature of Tγδ cells following anti-CD19 CAR-T cell therapy, contributing valuable information for optimizing CAR-T cell therapies in B cell malignancies.

Challenges don’t last; embracing them is crucial to growth and success. Knowing and absorbing this, is very important for students in any program and at any level in the academic world. This article discussed my adaptation to a new environment, overcoming challenges, and the importance of support systems.

As a young scientist in Brazil, my journey began in a public school, where I faced the typical challenges of the Brazilian public education system, such as a lack of resources and support. With immense dedication and resilience, I successfully gained admission to the University of São Paulo (USP), a prestigious institution and one of the top universities in Latin America. Currently, my research focuses on the relationship between the nervous and immune systems in psychosis, a topic I am deeply passionate about. In this piece, I will delve deeper into the challenges and achievements of being a young scientist in Brazil. I also discuss the systemic issues within the Brazilian education and research system, and the changes needed to foster a more supportive and resourceful environment for emerging scientists.

Chronic wounds significantly burden healthcare systems worldwide, requiring novel strategies to ease their impact. Many physiological processes underlying wound healing are well studied but the role of mast cells is controversial. Mast cells are innate immune cells and play an essential role in barrier function by inducing inflammation to defend the host against chemical irritants, infections, etc. Many mast cell-derived mediators have proposed roles in wound healing; however, in vivo evidence using mouse models has produced conflicting results. Recently, studies involving more complex wound models such as infected wounds, diabetic wounds and wounds healing under psychological stress, suggest that mast cells play critical roles in these processes. This review briefly summarizes the existing literature regarding mast cells in normal wounds and potential reasons for the contradictory results. A focus will be placed on examining more recent work emerging in the last 5 years exploring mast cells in more complex systems of wound healing including infection, psychological stress and diabetes with a discussion of how these discoveries may inspire future work in the field.

The αLβ2 integrin LFA-1 plays a key role in T-cell adhesion to the endothelial vasculature and migration into both secondary lymphoid organs and peripheral tissues via interactions with its target protein ICAM-1, but the pathways that regulate LFA-1-mediated T-cell polarity and migration are not fully understood. In this study we screened two RNAi libraries targeting G protein-coupled receptors (GPCR)/GPCR-associated proteins and kinases in a HuT-78 T-cell line model of LFA-1-stimulated T cell migration. Based on staining of the actin cytoskeleton, multiple parameters to measure cell morphology were used to assess the contribution of 1109 genes to LFA-1-mediated T cell polarity and migration. These RNAi screens identified a number of both novel and previously identified genes that either increased or decreased the polarity and migratory capacity of these cells. Following multiparametric analysis, hierarchical clustering and pathway analysis, three of these genes were characterised in further detail using primary human T-cells, revealing novel roles for the heterotrimeric G protein subunit Gβ1 and casein kinase 2 in LFA-1-mediated T-cell polarity and migration in-vitro. Our studies also highlighted a new role for ICAP-1, an adaptor protein previously described to be associated with β1 integrins, in β2 integrin LFA-1-directed migration in T-cells. Knockdown of ICAP-1 expression in primary T cells revealed a role in cell polarity, cell velocity and transmigration towards SDF-1 for this adaptor protein. This study therefore uncovers new roles for GPCR/GPCR-associated proteins and kinases in T-cell migration and provides potential novel targets for modulation of the T-cell immune response

In July 1999, I took my final curtsey as an aspiring ballet dancer in London. At the time, I was devastated, having been ‘assessed out’ by the ballet school I’d attended the year after I finished high school in Ireland. I wish I knew then what I know now: there are no endings in a career, just different paths. It took a few more iterations for me to learn that lesson. I hope my experience can provide some reassurance for anyone out there grappling with their next career move.

A document by Bryce Buddle. Click on the document to view its contents.

Scientific outreach activities play an important role in disseminating knowledge, connecting the general public to research and breaking down scientific scepticism barriers. However, the vision impaired community is often disadvantaged when the most common audio-visual approach of scientific communication is applied. Here we integrated tactile clues in the scientific communication of immune processes involved in the autoimmune skin disease psoriasis. We encouraged participation of the vision impaired community by engagement with tactile scientific origami art, a haptic poster and wood carved molecular models. Readily accessible science communication that engages a number of senses is a critical step towards making science more inclusive, and engaging for individuals with a wide range of sensory abilities. The Sensory Science approach aligns with the principles of equity, diversity, and inclusion and helps create a more informed and scientifically literate public.

In the unique landscape of immunology research in New Zealand, this article explores the collaborative networks spanning the two main islands, through a conversation with Associate Professor Joanna Kirman and Dr. Robert Weinkove. The discussions delve into their dynamic collaborations with countries like Asia, Australia, and the United States from their labs at the University of Otago and the Malaghan Institute respectively, provides insight into the translational research landscape of New Zealand, and the integration of Māori culture into all aspects of scientific research and clinical practise. Kirman’s work in understanding immunological memory in tuberculosis and Weinkove’s research in cancer immunotherapies, particularly CAR-T cells, are highlighted. The natural beauty and accessibility of New Zealand supports it’s research diversity.

Emeritus Professor Margaret Baird forged a luminary career for her pioneering research investigating the role of dendritic cells (DCs) in cancer and infectious diseases, as an inspirational lecturer at the University of Otago and a role model to many. In this article celebrating the 100-year anniversary of ICB, we discuss Margaret’s career and life journey through the eyes of her family and co-authors, as we explore her many publications in ICB and beyond.

The establishment of in vitro models plays a vital role in understanding and investigating pulmonary fibrosis (PF) at the cellular and molecular levels. In this paper, we conduct a literature review and provide an analysis of various cellular models used in scientific experiments, along with their applications in understanding the pathogenesis of PF. Our studies indicate that a comprehensive understanding of PF should not be based on a single cell type or organ, but on a multi-organ, multi-level, and multi-perspective approach. Primary cells demonstrate superior cell growth characteristics and gene expression profiles. However, challenges such as limited availability, difficulties in maintenance, inability for continuous propagation, and susceptibility to phenotype loss over time significantly restrict their utility in scientific research. On the other hand, replacement cell lines can be easily obtained, cultured, and continuously propagated, but their phenotypic characteristics are somewhat different compared to primary cells. In vitro co-culture models offer a more practical and precise means to elucidate the intricate interactions between cells, tissues, and organs. Therefore, when constructing pathology models of PF, researchers should carefully consider the advantages, limitations, and relevant mechanisms associated with different cell models for selection according to the research objectives.

Laboratory science sometimes looks like it’s built exclusively for young people, but if you look closely, you’ll find another group of scientists waiting to join your lab: those of us who didn’t quite launch our careers on a normal trajectory. Welcoming a second-career scientist into your lab takes time and resources, but may just be well worth it. Here’s what one second-career scientist wants you to know about supporting second careers in immunology.