The Immunology Podcast

A podcast featuring conversations with immunologists from around the globe. Brought to by STEMCELL Technologies.

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20 episodes
Updated Tuesday

Episodes20

Newest first

Tuesday · 1 hr 14 min
Ep. 137: “Tissue Specificity of miRNAs” Featuring Dr. Brian Brown
Guest: Dr. Brian Brown is a Professor at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. He discusses how his lab develops innovative technologies to study the immune system and advance new therapeutics, from T cell engineering to mRNA-based medicines. He also explores how microRNA-guided targeting can improve the precision of mRNA therapeutics, how different tissues shape immune responses, and the importance of effective science communication. Featured Products and Resources: Learn more about STEMCELL’s optimized protocols and reagents for immunotherapy research. Download this free conference toolkit to make the most out of your experience this conference season. The Immunology Science Round Up Sindbis in Cerebrospinal Fluid – Scientists have found evidence that Sindbis virus can invade the human central nervous system and cause neurological disease. A Skin–Lung Reflex – Activation of sensory neurons in the skin suppresses allergic airway inflammation through a vagus nerve–mediated neuroimmune reflex. Microbiome Enhances Cancer Immunity – Gut bacteria promote anti-tumor immunity by converting tryptophan into indoles that enhance immune responses and inhibit melanoma growth. Macrophages Drive Healthy Aging – Restoring macrophage clearance of senescent neutrophils reverses age-related decline across multiple organs in mice by blocking EP2 signaling. Image courtesy of Dr. Brian Brown Subscribe to our newsletter! Never miss updates about new episodes. Subscribe
July 14 · 1 hr 16 min
Ep. 136: “The Immunology of Obesity” Featuring Dr. Andrew Hogan
Guest: Dr. Andrew Hogan is a Professor and Principal Investigator of the Obesity Immunology Research Group at Maynooth University. He discusses how obesity drives chronic inflammation and immune dysfunction, increasing the risk of diseases such as diabetes and cancer, while highlighting the immune system’s role in disease progression. He also explains how GLP-1 therapies improve both metabolism and immune function, offering new insights into obesity treatment. Featured Products and Resources: Request your free EasySep sample and share your experience for a chance to win prizes worth up to $3,000! Win 350 US dollars or equivalent toward refreshments to fuel your journal club discussions. The Immunology Science Round Up Innate Immunity Predicts Symptoms – Stronger innate immune responses predisposed people to influenza symptoms while also promoting antiviral immune activation. Broad HIV Neutralization #1 – A novel HIV immunogen induced broadly neutralizing antibodies in macaques, providing a promising blueprint for HIV vaccine development. Broad HIV Neutralization #2 – A germline-targeting vaccine induced broadly neutralizing HIV antibodies in nonhuman primates. CAR-T Targets Glioblastoma – A dual-targeting CAR-T therapy achieved durable glioblastoma control in preclinical models. Image courtesy of Dr. Andrew Hogan Subscribe to our newsletter! Never miss updates about new episodes. Subscribe
June 30 · 1 hr 17 min
Ep. 135: “Olfactory Receptors Beyond the Nose” Featuring Dr. Marco Orecchioni
Guest: Dr. Marco Orecchioni is an Assistant Professor at Augusta University. He discusses how olfactory receptors — best known for detecting smells — also function in innate immune cells such as macrophages, where they help sense chemical cues in the tissue environment. He highlights how these receptors regulate inflammation, metabolism, and immune cell behavior in diseases such as atherosclerosis, and explores their potential as novel therapeutic targets. Featured Products and Resources: Learn more about STEMCELL’s optimized protocols and reagents for immunotherapy research. Download this free conference toolkit to make the most out of your experience this conference season. The Immunology Science Round Up Origins of Tumor Macrophages – Tumor-associated myeloid cells arise from distinct circulating monocyte clones with pre-programmed differentiation fates. DDX6 Restrains Tumor Immunity – DDX6 suppresses dsRNA-driven innate immunity by limiting RNA editing. Antibody-Directed Xenophagy – TRIM21 directs antibody-bound pathogens into a newly identified autophagy pathway that promotes intracellular pathogen clearance. RNA Warfare in Plant Immunity – A fungal long non-coding RNA suppresses rice immunity by sequestering a host microRNA. Image courtesy of Dr. Marco Orecchioni. Subscribe to our newsletter! Never miss updates about new episodes. Subscribe
June 16 · 1 hr 4 min
Ep. 134: “Outsmarting Tuberculosis” Featuring Dr. Shabaana Khader
Guest: Dr. Shabaana Khader is a Professor and Chair of the Department of Microbiology at the University of Chicago. She discusses how the immune system responds to Mycobacterium tuberculosis, why tuberculosis remains one of the world’s deadliest infectious diseases, and the challenges of developing more effective vaccines. She highlights the role of lung-resident immunity, including Th17 responses and lymphoid structures, in controlling infection, and explains how advances in our understanding of host–pathogen interactions are guiding the design of next-generation TB vaccines. Featured Products and Resources: Learn about STEMCELL’s optimized protocols and reagents for immunotherapy research. Download a free Nature Reviews Immunology T cell nomenclature wallpaper. The Immunology Science Round Up Personalized HPV Cancer Vaccine – A multifunctional nanovaccine combining HPV antigens, tumor membranes, and bacterial adjuvants generates durable anti-tumor immunity against HPV-associated cervical cancer. HIV Rewires T Cell Identity – HIV can reprogram infected CD4+ T cells into CD8+ T cells, revealing a previously unrecognized component of the viral reservoir. Decoding Acute Pancreatitis – A single-cell atlas of severe acute pancreatitis identifies a TNF-α–driven immune-endothelial circuit that causes microvascular failure and disease progression. Discovery of Ruptoblasts – A newly discovered cell type, the ruptoblast, protects planarians through an explosive cytotoxic mechanism termed ruptosis. Image courtesy of Dr. Shabaana Khader Subscribe to our newsletter! Never miss updates about new episodes. Subscribe
June 2 · 1 hr 3 min
Ep. 133: “From Microbes to Immune Responses” Featuring Dr. Samuel Nobs
Guest: Dr. Samuel Nobs is an Assistant Professor and Group Leader at the Institute for Research in Biomedicine in Switzerland. He discusses how microbes in the lungs and gut may shape respiratory immunity and influence susceptibility to infections and chronic lung diseases. He highlights his lab’s work to uncover the mechanisms behind these interactions using microbiome analysis and advanced experimental models. Featured Products and Resources: Download a practical guide on everything you need to know about cell isolation techniques. Download a free wallchart on the production of CAR T cells. The Immunology Science Round Up Rabbit Immunity Evolves – Wild rabbits rapidly evolved resistance to myxoma virus through changes in highly diverse MHC immune genes. Antifungal Receptors Improve Vaccines – Targeting antifungal immune receptors with a mannan-based adjuvant boosts the strength, durability, and variant coverage of mRNA vaccine responses. Mapping Tumor Macrophage Diversity – Scientists have revealed how diverse tumor-associated macrophage subtypes promote tumor growth, immune suppression, and metastasis through interactions within the tumor microenvironment. Dietary Soy Shapes Immunity – Dietary soy shapes the gut microbiome to boost IgA-mediated immunity and enhance protection against intestinal infection in early life. Image courtesy of Dr. Samuel Nobs. Subscribe to our newsletter! Never miss updates about new episodes. Subscribe
May 13 · 1 hr 10 min
Ep. 132: “Tumor-Infiltrating B Cells” Featuring Dr. Tullia Bruno
Guest: Dr. Tullia Bruno is an Assistant Professor at the University of Pittsburgh. She discusses how B cells and tertiary lymphoid structures shape anti-tumor immunity within solid tumors, challenging the traditional T cell–centric view of cancer immunology. She highlights how these immune niches influence responses to immunotherapy, the importance of spatial organization within the tumor microenvironment, and emerging strategies to therapeutically induce tertiary lymphoid structures to improve cancer treatment. Featured Products and Resources: Subscribe for a chance to win a pair of STEMCELL science socks. Request a free EasySep EV isolation kit sample to try in your own lab. The Immunology Science Round Up Feeding Boosts T Cell Immunity – Postprandial metabolism enhances T cell fitness and improves effector and CAR-T cell function through chylomicron-driven metabolic reprogramming. Chemokines Control T Cell Priming – CCR7 signaling limits CD8+ T cell interactions with dendritic cells to preserve effective effector and memory responses. Helminths Boost Offspring Immunity – Maternal helminth-driven microbiome changes protect offspring from respiratory viruses through the metabolite indole-3-propionic acid. Enhancing CAR T Persistence – CAR-modified stem-cell memory T cells show improved persistence, expansion, and anti-tumor responses compared to standard CAR T cells. Image courtesy of Dr. Tullia Bruno. Subscribe to our newsletter! Never miss updates about new episodes. Subscribe
May 5 · 1 hr 10 min
Ep. 131: “Lymphocyte Development” Featuring Dr. Alfred Singer
Guest: Dr. Alfred Singer is a Senior Investigator at the National Cancer Institute Center for Cancer Research. He discusses his pioneering work on thymus development and T cell differentiation, including how T cells are selected to become CD4 helper or CD8 cytotoxic cells through MHC-restricted signaling. He shares the evolution of key concepts in the field, such as the “kinetic signaling” model of lineage commitment, and offers insights into T cell receptor signaling, regulatory T cell development, and the complexities of immune cell fate decisions. Featured Products and Resources: Receive a free 250 mL bottle of Lymphoprep plus a free SepMate tube to try in your own lab. Achieve simple, reliable EV isolation with EasySep kits from STEMCELL Technologies. The Immunology Science Round Up CEACAM6 Enables Viral Entry – Bat alphacoronavirus enters human cells via CEACAM6, revealing potential for zoonotic transmission. Cross-Dressing Drives T Cell Priming – mRNA vaccines activate CD8+ T cells through redundant dendritic cell pathways and cross-dressing mechanisms. Unlocking NK Antitumor Responses – Removing tumor Tregs unleashes NK cell responses to control cancers, including MHC I–deficient tumors. RUNX1 Controls Immune Aging – A single-cell immune aging clock identifies RUNX1 as a key regulator of T cell senescence and rejuvenation. Image courtesy of Dr. Alfred Singer Subscribe to our newsletter! Never miss updates about new episodes. Subscribe
April 28 · 41 min
IMMUNOLOGY2026™: On the Ground
In April 2026, we attended IMMUNOLOGY2026, the annual meeting of the American Association of Immunologists, in Boston. We spoke with delegates about their research and impressions of the meeting, including why they attended, the most memorable science they encountered, and their experiences in Boston. Featured Products and Resources: Stay up-to-date with the latest in cell therapy news. Access a collection of checklists and guides to ensure you’re prepared for your next conference. Subscribe to our newsletter! Never miss updates about new episodes. Subscribe
April 21 · 57 min
Ep. 129: Live from IMMUNOLOGY2026TM: Emerging Immunotherapies for Solid Tumors
Guest: This special episode was recorded in front of a live audience at IMMUNOLOGY2026 in Boston. Brenda and Jason sit down with Dr. Charles Sentman, Director of the Center for Synthetic Immunity at Dartmouth College, and Dr. Giulia Escobar, Director of Pre-Clinical Research at Massachusetts General Hospital, to explore new strategies aimed at overcoming the unique challenges of treating solid tumors. They focus on real-world challenges in CAR T and NK cell therapies, including barriers to treating solid tumors, manufacturing and accessibility hurdles, and emerging applications beyond oncology, such as autoimmunity and neurodegenerative disease. Featured Products and Resources: Stay up-to-date with the latest in human immunology news. Download a free wallchart on the production of CAR T cells. Image courtesy of [Drs. Charles Sentman and Giulia Escobar] Subscribe to our newsletter! Never miss updates about new episodes. Subscribe
April 20 · 18 min
IMMUNOLOGY2026™: Day 5
Guest: In April 2026, we attended IMMUNOLOGY2026, the annual meeting of the American Association of Immunologists in Boston, and recorded daily episodes discussing highlights of the previous 24 hours. Here is the last of five special episodes from the meeting. Jason and Brenda discuss highlights from sessions on advances in translational immunology, including immune-targeting strategies for autoimmune disease, as well as new insights into emerging technologies to map T cell receptor specificity. Featured Products and Resources: Make the most of your experience by downloading STEMCELL’s collection of tools to help you prepare for your next conference. Subscribe to our newsletter! Never miss updates about new episodes. Subscribe
April 19 · 16 min
IMMUNOLOGY2026™: Day 4
Guest: In April 2026, we attended IMMUNOLOGY2026, the annual meeting of the American Association of Immunologists in Boston, and recorded daily episodes discussing highlights of the previous 24 hours. Here is the fourth of five special episodes from the meeting. Jason and Brenda discuss highlights from talks about immunometabolic dysfunction in disease and neuroimmune interactions in inflammation and allergy. Featured Products and Resources: Learn how to isolate highly pure immune cells and efficiently process human samples with a free, on-demand course. Subscribe to our newsletter! Never miss updates about new episodes. Subscribe
April 18 · 23 min
IMMUNOLOGY2026™: Day 3
Guest: In April 2026, we attended IMMUNOLOGY2026, the annual meeting of the American Association of Immunologists in Boston, and recorded daily episodes discussing highlights of the previous 24 hours. Here is the third of five special episodes from the meeting. Brenda and Jason discuss highlights from sessions on obesity, immunometabolism, microbiome-driven immunity, antigen presentation, and new immunotherapy strategies. Featured Products and Resources: Explore the production of therapeutic CAR T cells with a a Nature Protocols wallchart. Subscribe to our newsletter! Never miss updates about new episodes. Subscribe
April 17 · 26 min
IMMUNOLOGY2026™: Day 2
Guest: In April 2026, we attended IMMUNOLOGY2026, the annual meeting of the American Association of Immunologists in Boston, and recorded daily episodes discussing highlights of the previous 24 hours. Here is the second of five special episodes from the meeting. Jason and Brenda cover new insights into microbiome–immune interactions, including bacterial influences on cancer and inflammatory disease, as well as advances in mucosal and early-life immunity. Featured Products and Resources: Improve your skills in T cell culture with a free, on-demand course on human T cell expansion. Subscribe to our newsletter! Never miss updates about new episodes. Subscribe
April 16 · 18 min
IMMUNOLOGY2026™: Day 1
Guest: In April 2026, we attended IMMUNOLOGY2026, the annual meeting of the American Association of Immunologists in Boston, and recorded daily episodes discussing highlights of the previous 24 hours. Here is the first of five special episodes from the meeting. Brenda and Jason discuss highlights including advances in high-throughput proteomics and multi-omics integration for understanding immune regulation, as well as new insights into respiratory and mucosal immunology. Featured Products and Resources: Get a free wallchart summarizing the processes involved in producing CAR T cells for therapy. Subscribe to our newsletter! Never miss updates about new episodes. Subscribe
April 7 · 1 hr 21 min
Ep. 128: “Lymphatic Immunobiology” Featuring Dr. Amanda Lund
Guest: Dr. Amanda Lund is an Associate Professor at the NYU Grossman School of Medicine. She discusses how the lymphatic vasculature serves as a critical and dynamic interface between tissues and the immune system, challenging the traditional view of lymphatics as passive conduits. She highlights how lymphatic vessels actively regulate immune responses by controlling fluid flow, antigen transport, and cell migration during infection and cancer, and explores their emerging roles in shaping immunity and tissue biology. Featured Products and Resources: Download the free cell separation e-book from STEMCELL Technologies. Learn how to isolate highly pure immune cells and efficiently process human samples. The Immunology Science Round Up MHC I Shapes CD4 Immunity– MHC class I unexpectedly regulates CD4+ T cell cytotoxicity by protecting target cells from ferroptosis. Re-Emergence of Oropouche Virus – Scientists have mapped the resurgence and long-term burden of Oropouche virus, revealing widespread infection across Latin America. Scalable In Vivo T Cell Engineering – A new in vivo CRISPR-based system enables precise, stable generation of CAR T cells. Gut–Brain Axis in Autoimmunity – Intestinal epithelial cells initiate autoimmune neuroinflammation via TH17 cell responses that migrate to the central nervous system. Image courtesy of Dr. Amanda Lund. Subscribe to our newsletter! Never miss updates about new episodes. Subscribe
March 24 · 1 hr 9 min
Ep. 127: “MAIT Cell Responses” Featuring Dr. Mansour Haeryfar
Guest: Dr. Mansour Haeryfar is a Professor in the Department of Microbiology & Immunology at Western University. The Haeryfar Lab is dedicated to advancing our understanding of both conventional and innate-like invariant T cell responses in health and disease. Their research focuses on mucosal-associated invariant T (MAIT) cells, with particular emphasis on exploring their therapeutic potential across a range of conditions. Featured Products and Resources: Explore scientific resources for your immunology research. Download a free wallchart on the production of CAR T cells. The Immunology Science Round Up Immune Imprinting Limits Flu Protection – Early flu infections imprint the immune system, biasing later responses and reducing effectiveness against new strains. Maternal Immunity Protects Newborns – Newborns with E. coli sepsis lack protective maternal antibodies, and maternal priming can provide protection. Building the Anti-Carbohydrate Repertoire – Anti-carbohydrate antibodies develop after birth into a diverse, antigen-shaped B cell repertoire. Engineering Better CAR T Responses – CAR T resistance to checkpoint therapy can be overcome by restoring c-Jun alongside PD-L1 blockade. Image courtesy of Dr. Mansour Haeryfar. Subscribe to our newsletter! Never miss updates about new episodes. Subscribe
March 10 · 1 hr 9 min
Ep. 126: “Functional Oncogenomics” Featuring Dr. Daniel Peeper
Guest: Dr. Daniel Peeper is a Professor in Functional Oncogenomics at VU University Amsterdam, heading the Department of Molecular Oncology & Immunology and chairing the Research Faculty Council Board at the Netherlands Cancer Institute. His lab employs function-based, genome-wide screens and other advanced technologies to develop concepts for rational combinatorial cancer treatment, targeting both cancer and immune cells more effectively. Featured Products and Resources: Obtain highly purified cells in a single step with the Easy 250 EasySep Magnet. Download a free wallchart on the production of CAR T cells. The Immunology Science Round Up Genomic Insights into EBV – Researchers used genome sequencing data to identify genetic and lifestyle factors linked to control of persistent Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) infection and its association with autoimmune diseases. Cholinergic Control of B Cells – Acetylcholine signaling in germinal center B cells helps regulate their selection and differentiation to shape high-affinity antibody responses. Targeting Persistent HIV Clones – Persistent HIV reservoir T cell clones resist immune clearance but remain vulnerable to sustained cytotoxic T cell pressure. T Cell Engagers in Autoimmunity – CD19×CD3 and BCMA×CD3 T cell engagers improved disease outcomes in patients with treatment-refractory antisynthetase syndrome and systemic sclerosis. Image courtesy of Daniel Peeper Subscribe to our newsletter! Never miss updates about new episodes. Subscribe
February 25 · 1 hr 17 min
Ep. 125: “Single-Cell Genomics” Featuring Dr. Ido Amit
Guest: Dr. Ido Amit is a Principal Investigator and the Eden and Steven Romick Professorial Chair at the Weizmann Institute of Science. His lab is at the forefront of developing and applying cutting-edge single-cell genomics technologies alongside advanced computational approaches. By integrating these innovative tools in both animal models and human studies, his team uncovers the immune regulatory mechanisms and pathways that shape health and disease. Featured Products and Resources: Stay up-to-date with the latest in human immunology news. Download a free wallchart on the production of CAR T cells. The Immunology Science Round Up Modified RNA Prevents Autoimmunity – Researchers show that modified RNA from our own cells naturally blocks TLR7 and TLR8, preventing harmful immune activation. Oncolytic Virus Boosts T Cells – In glioblastoma patients, a single virus treatment helped the immune system attack the tumor. Rewiring the Immune System During Food Scarcity – When food is scarce, stress hormones rebalance the immune system to fight infection while conserving glucose and preserving immune memory. Regulating Bystander T Cells – IL-4 can dial down how strongly memory CD8+ T cells respond to infection without direct antigen stimulation. Image courtesy of Dr. Ido Amit Subscribe to our newsletter! Never miss updates about new episodes. Subscribe
February 10 · 1 hr 9 min
Ep. 124: “HIV Latency” Featuring Dr. Sharon Lewin
Guest: Dr. Sharon Lewin is the Director of the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, where her team studies HIV. She talks about the current landscape in HIV research and treatments, and how new therapies could target latent viral reservoirs. Featured Products and Resources: Register now for IMMUNOLOGY2026! Make the Easy Choice. Try EasySep to Win! The Immunology Science Round Up Immunosurveillance in the Skin: A neuro-epithelial axis can tune regional immunosurveillance against melanoma. B Cells in Aging: B cells contributed to the age-related reduction of naive CD4 T cells. The Gut–Brain Axis in Parkinson’s: Muscularis macrophages, housekeepers of intestinal homeostasis, modulate α-synuclein pathology and neurodegeneration in models of Parkinson’s disease. How IL-2 Signaling Regulates Inflammation: IL-2 signaling promotes the generation of IL-10pos age-associated B cells, with implications for autoimmunity and inflammation. Image courtesy of Dr. Sharon Lewin Subscribe to our newsletter! Never miss updates about new episodes. Subscribe
January 27 · 1 hr 17 min
Ep. 123: “Immunological Memory” Featuring Dr. Rafi Ahmed
Guest: Dr. Rafi Ahmed is a Professor in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology and the Director of the Emory Vaccine Center at Emory University. He talks about his early work on memory T cells and its applications in autoimmune diseases and cancer. Featured Products and Resources: Register now for IMMUNOLOGY2026! Request Your Free EasySep Sample and Enter for a Chance to Win Prizes Worth Up to $3,000. The Immunology Round Up CAR T Therapy for Hemolytic Anemia: CD19 CAR T cells resulted in sustained remission in patients with multirefractory autoimmune hemolytic anemia. (3:05) How Epstein-Barr Virus and Genetics Drive Multiple Sclerosis: A new study provides a new mechanistic link for how the environmental and genetic risk factors may contribute jointly to multiple sclerosis. (8:30) Autoantigens in Multiple Sclerosis: EBNA1 CD4+ T cells can target the multiple sclerosis autoantigen anoctamin-2, establishing a link between Epstein-Barr infection and neuroinflammation. (18:45) Microbiota-Induced T Cell Plasticity: Molecular mimicry between a gut commensal and a tumor antigen can boost the efficacy of immune checkpoint blockade therapy and restrain tumor growth. (26:00) Subscribe to our newsletter! Never miss updates about new episodes. Subscribe

The Immunology Podcast

Ep. 137: “Tissue Specificity of miRNAs” Featuring Dr. Brian Brown

Ep. 136: “The Immunology of Obesity” Featuring Dr. Andrew Hogan

Ep. 135: “Olfactory Receptors Beyond the Nose” Featuring Dr. Marco Orecchioni

Ep. 134: “Outsmarting Tuberculosis” Featuring Dr. Shabaana Khader

Ep. 133: “From Microbes to Immune Responses” Featuring Dr. Samuel Nobs

Ep. 132: “Tumor-Infiltrating B Cells” Featuring Dr. Tullia Bruno

Ep. 131: “Lymphocyte Development” Featuring Dr. Alfred Singer

IMMUNOLOGY2026™: On the Ground

Ep. 129: Live from IMMUNOLOGY2026TM: Emerging Immunotherapies for Solid Tumors

IMMUNOLOGY2026™: Day 5

IMMUNOLOGY2026™: Day 4

IMMUNOLOGY2026™: Day 3

IMMUNOLOGY2026™: Day 2

IMMUNOLOGY2026™: Day 1

Ep. 128: “Lymphatic Immunobiology” Featuring Dr. Amanda Lund

Ep. 127: “MAIT Cell Responses” Featuring Dr. Mansour Haeryfar

Ep. 126: “Functional Oncogenomics” Featuring Dr. Daniel Peeper

Ep. 125: “Single-Cell Genomics” Featuring Dr. Ido Amit

Ep. 124: “HIV Latency” Featuring Dr. Sharon Lewin

Ep. 123: “Immunological Memory” Featuring Dr. Rafi Ahmed