La Jolla Institute for Immunology (LJI)

@lji.org

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A world leading biomedical research institute focused on finding cures faster for cancers, infectious and immune system diseases. Our breakthroughs in immunology make life without disease possible. Learn more: lji.org

Photo of 10 teenage and college-age students in white lab coats. They are standing outside and posing as a group.

Award announcement graphic. Image reads: American Hematology Society, Fight 4 Hematology. There is a portrait photo of Jeffrey King. Text reads: 2026 Recipient ASH HIP Graduate Student Award, Jeffrey King, La Jolla Institute for Immunology, Rao Lab. There is a gold stamp that reads: "2026 Recipient"

Graphic for the "Live from the Lab" event. Reads: La Jolla Institute for Immunology Webinar & Discussion: "A fresh look at viruses, featuring Kelly Shaffer and Onyeka Chukwudozie. Wednesday, May 2, 2026, 12:00 to 1:00 pm (PT)

Group portrait of LJI Saphire Lab members. They are wearing black jackets and posing in front of the LJI building. They are smiling in fun poses for the camera.

Graphic with award info. Reads: #19, Research institutes driving real-world health impact. Cure: Most Innovative Institutions 2026. Background image with a photo of the LJI building.

Graphic with black and white photo of the nose. Text reads: Lupus leaves clues in an unexpected place: The nose

Photo of four people sitting in front of an audience for a recent LJI "Life Without Disease" panel. Text overlays the photo. It reads: The Pandemic We Didn't See. Mechanisms, Myths, and What We Actually Know About Long COVID and Post-Viral Disease"

Join us on March 19, 2026, for a Life Without Disease event featuring LJI Associate Professor Sonia Sharma, Ph.D., UC San Diego Health cardiologist Pam Taub, M.D., FACC, FASPC, and award-winning health journalist Jason Gale. Dive into the science of post-viral diseases and learn about the urgent efforts to help patients recover from long COVID. This panel discussion will be moderated by LJI Professor, President & CEO Erica Ollmann Saphire, Ph.D., MBA.

Join us after the panel for refreshments and a signing of Jason Gale's book: After Covid. The Health Impacts That Will Last Generations.

Video S2. Visualization of SRRM2 droplets, related to Figures 1C and S1D
Live cell imaging following two nuclei 1 hour after SON depletion by addition of 1μM HaloPROTAC3. SRRM2 is labeled with SNAP-Cell 647-SiR (red), and the DNA with Hoechst 33258 (blue). SRRM2 droplets initially collapse into smaller, round condensates which gradually merge to form larger, fewer droplets. Frame rate: 5 min; scale bar: 5 μm.

Valentine's design #1: "You plus me equals thymus" with a graphic of a thymus. The "us" in "thymus" is separated by a hyphen.

Posed photo of scientist Emil Johansson. He is standing next to an easel that holds a large poster with his research results and data.

Posed photo of seven IPN scientists outside the LJI building. From left to right: Jesús Adrián Salgado López, Alejandra Cecilia Herrera Ramírez, Rosa Isabel Cid García, Sofía Nohemí Rodríguez Flores, Mariana Parra González, Oscar Martinez Ceh

Selfie photo of four LJI employees. They are standing outside near trees and smiling for a group photo.

Graphic for an event held by Womens Health Access Matters (WHAM). Graphic includes photos of a scientist holding a test tube full of fluid. Text reads: Women's Health Research: The Silent Gap, the Loud Opportunity.

Virtual: The WHAM Fall Forum and Edge Awards presentation. November 18th, 2:30 to 5:00 PM, Eastern Time. Register now — link in caption

Graphic advertising the "Life Without Disease" Event Series. Graphic shows a portrait photo of Dr. Daniela Weiskopf. The event date is Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025.

Graphic for the San Diego Business Journal Best Places to Work 2025

Please join us on October 1, 2025, for La Jolla Institute for Immunology’s most recent installment of Live from the Lab, moderated by Associate Professor Sonia Sharma, Ph.D., and featuring 2025 Tullie and Rickey Families SPARK Awards for Innovations in Immunology winners Amparo Martínez Pérez, Ph.D., and Laura Hinojosa. Their conversation will explore how sex-based differences shape immune responses, with a spotlight on two fully philanthropy-funded research projects: Dr. Martínez Pérez’s investigation of specialized immune cells in menstrual blood as a novel window into endometriosis, and Hinojosa’s work mapping how hormonal contraceptives may reshape immune cell function. Together, their studies represent bold steps toward a more complete and equitable understanding of the female immune system.

Morph of S2 from the open to closed conformation, viewed from the side

Photo of a speaker at a lectern at the front of the Seminar Room.

Group photo of La Jolla Institute employees in front of a banner for the Curebound Cancer Challenge. There are 23 people in the photo. Most of them are wearing matching blue LJI shirts. They are outside. They are smiling at the camera.

Graphic on The Basics of:
Cockroach Allergies.

Facts:
- Between 17% and 41% of Americans have cockroach allergies.
- Symptoms include year-round congestion, coughing, sneezing,
wheezing, and rashes.
- An allergist can perform a
blood test or skin test to
detect a cockroach allergy.
- Cockroach saliva, droppings, and shedded body parts
are common triggers for
allergies and allergic asthma.
- The German cockroach (Blattella germanica) is
the most common species of cockroach found in the United States.
SOURCES: American College of allergy, asthma and immunology
Cleveland Clinic

Group photo taken outside La Jolla Institute for Immunology (LJI). Interns are wearing white lab coats. They are joined by their mentors and program donors and supporters.

Art by @patriciapauchnick for LJI's Immune Matters Magazine
#Immunology

Alt text: An illustration of a hypothetical virus termed "Virus X." It is illustrated in shades of red, green and blue. It has a mix of surface proteins and a question mark in the center.

Graphic with text and a photo of the seminar speaker. Text reads: Program in Immunology Seminar. Dr. Judith Agudo of the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. Wednesday, Apr. 9th, 2025, 12:00 PM, La Jolla Institute for Immunology, Ishizaka Seminar Room. Seminar title: "Dissecting Immune Evasion: How heterogeneous phenotypes protect targeted cells"

Art by @patriciapauchnick #Immunology #Science #STEM #Biology #Health #Medicine #SanDiego #Microbiology #SciComm #SciArt #Virology #COVID #Coronavirus #COVIDVaccine #VaccineResearch #GlobalHealth

Alt text: Illustration of SARS-CoV-2 with description. The virus is illustrated in shades of pink and yellow. Large "Spike" proteins stick out of its surface, and genetic material is packed into the center of the circle.

This virus causes COVID-19. It is known for evolving rapidly into new “variants of concern”—such as the Omicron variant. Vaccines and therapies are effective for many people.

Graphic for the "Curebound: Concert for Cures." Featuring Elton John. Taking place, Friday, May 9. A photo on the graphic shows Elton John at a black grand piano. He is performing for a large stadium audience

The key stages of Herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) assembly and the roles of specific viral proteins, based on advanced imaging data.
(A; lower left) In the host cell nucleus, HSV-1 DNA is replicated, and a protein capsid that encloses the viral genome is assembled. These capsids (purple hexagons) bind to pUL34, a component of the nuclear egress complex (NEC) and move towards the inner nuclear membrane of the host cell (INM). The capsid-protein complexes then bud into the perinuclear space (PNS) between the inner and outer membrane of the cell nucleus, where they acquire a temporary envelope from the INM (depicted as a circle around the hexagon). (B) The viral complexes then fuse with the outer nuclear membrane (ONM), where they shed their temporary envelope and are released into the cytoplasm. The viral kinase pUS3 regulates the NEC and thus influences the efficiency of the capsids transit through the nuclear envelope. (C) Once in the cytoplasm, VP16 binds to the capsid to stabilize it for further maturation. Then, pUL16 starts to form the tegument (gray dotted circle), a protein-rich layer that surrounds the capsid and connects it to the outer layer, the envelope, with pUL21 assisting in cytoplasmic transport of molecules between the two layers (D) VP16 delivers the capsids to the envelopment compartment (EC), where they associate with cytoplasmic vesicles (CV, gray circles) to form secondary envelopes with the help of pUL11, pUL51, gK and gE. (E) Finally, the mature virus particle is transported within the vesicle originating from the envelopment compartment, which then fuses with the cell membrane (CM) to release the mature virion with viral glycoproteins (GP) into the extracellular space.

Graphic for the "Live from the Lab" event -- Text reads: La Jolla Institute for Immunology, Webinar and Discussion. "The Autoimmune Framework: Decoding Early Immune Signals," sponsored by the Global Autoimmune Institute, featuring Sonia Sharma, Ph.D., Wednesday, March 19, 2024, 12 PM to 1 PM Pacific Time
Graphic for the "Live from the Lab" event -- Text reads: La Jolla Institute for Immunology, Webinar and Discussion. "The Autoimmune Framework: Decoding Early Immune Signals," sponsored by the Global Autoimmune Institute, featuring Sonia Sharma, Ph.D., Wednesday, March 19, 2024, 12 PM to 1 PM Pacific Time

Infographic with illustrations of dengue virus, Zika virus, Powassan virus, and Chikungunya virus. These viruses are illustrated in shades of green and yellow. The viruses resemble golf balls with textured surfaces.

Three of the viruses are flaviviruses.

Dengue virus - Spread by mosquitoes. There are four types of dengue virus—and we have no effective vaccines for any of them.

Zika virus- Spread by mosquitoes. Can cause flu-like symptoms in adults and microcephaly in newborns who were infected in the womb. Vaccines are in development.

Powassan virus Spread by ticks. Causes severe disease. A rising number of cases have been reported in the Northeast and Great Lakes regions of the United States. No vaccines exist

We also see that Chikungunya is a related virus but not a flavivirus. Instead, it is also an arbovirus. Chikungunya - Spread by mosquitoes. Can cause fever and chronic joint pain. One vaccine exists— but there is no treatment for the disease. This section reads: Arboviruses: Hiding in nature Scientists call any virus spread by arthropods (such as mosquitos and ticks) an “arbovirus.” These viruses use arthropods as vectors to jump between animals and humans. Arboviruses are especially important to monitor because they can evolve in wildlife populations for years before spilling over to infect humans.

Graphic for the "Live from the Lab" event -- Text reads: La Jolla Institute for Immunology, Webinar and Discussion. "The Autoimmune Framework: Decoding Early Immune Signals," sponsored by the Global Autoimmune Institute, featuring Sonia Sharma, Ph.D., Wednesday, March 19, 2024, 12 PM to 1 PM Pacific Time

Banner text reads: "Qs & As on the Mesa" - Queer Scientists and Allies Symposium. Creating Community & Highlighting the Work of LGBTQIA+ Researchers on the Torrey Pines Mesa. There is a banner image showing paragliders in the sky over La Jolla Shores

Illustration of Lassa virus with description. The virus is illustrated with shades of blue and red. It resembles a sphere with protruding surface receptors. Inside the sphere is a string-like proteins and genetic materia.

Description: Lassa virus is spread by a type of rat in West Africa. High mortality rate, especially in pregnant and immunocompromised people. Vaccines are in development and at the clinical-testing stage.

Art by @patriciapauchnick for LJI's Immune Matters Magazine

A group of seven adults stands under a white awning. They are smiling at the camera and some are wearing shirts for "La Jolla Institute for Immunology." In front of them is a table with immune cell tattoos, postcards, diagrams, and a laptop with a video of immune cells.

Art by @patriciapauchnick for LJI's Immune Matters Magazine

Alt text: Illustration of Influenza virus with description. Influenza virus is illustrated in shades of pink and light blue. It resembles a sphere. It is studded with protruding surface receptors that resemble florets or rounded rods. Description: Influenza is the seventh leading cause of death in the United States. There are four types of influenza virus and many rapidly evolving strains, including H5N1—better known as “bird flu.” Seasonal vaccines can provide some immunity. But many people—especially infants and older adults—are still vulnerable
to life-threatening infection.

Art by @patriciapauchnick for LJI's Immune Matters Magazine

#Immunology #Science #STEM #Biology #Health #Medicine #SanDiego #Microbiology #SciComm #SciArt #Virology #Mpox #Smallpox #InfectiousDisease #VaccineResearch #GlobalHealth

Alt text: Illustration of two orthopoxviruses with description. These viruses are illustrated with shades of blue and pink. They resemble rectangles with rounded edges.

Descriptions: Mpox virus causes outbreaks worldwide. Low-level transmission is ongoing in the United States. There are effective vaccines, and there are experimental treatments.

Variola virus - Causes smallpox. Eradicated. Success story: Smallpox was a global killer for thousands of years. Fortunately, smallpox vaccines were some of the first vaccines ever developed. Many countries launched massive smallpox vaccination campaigns in the 1800s and early 1900s. In 1980, smallpox was declared eradicated across the globe.

Art by @patriciapauchnick for LJI's Immune Matters Magazine

Illustration of three herpesviruses with descriptions. These viruses are illustratied in shades of orange. They are round viruses with protruding surface proteins.

Cytomegalovirus - Many people unknowingly carry this virus. Rarely causes severe symptoms unless contracted when a person is pregnant. Infections during pregnancy can lead to debilitating birth defects in newborns. No vaccine exists.

Epstein-Barr virus - Causes mononucleosis, aka “mono.” Associated with several other diseases— including Burkitt lymphoma and stomach cancer. No vaccine exists.

Varicella-zoster virus - Causes chicken pox. Can hide in the nervous system for decades and emerge to cause shingles. Vaccines exist.

Graphic for the San Diego Festival of Science and Engineering. The image has a dancing three-eyed, six-limbed alien on a blue background. Text reads: Free Family Fun! Staurday, March 1, 2025. Petco Park 10AM-5PM. 100+ Hands On Activities. For more information visit: LoveSTEMSD.org

Illustration of human immunodeficiency virus with description. The virus is illustrated in shades of blue and grey. It is a sphere with protruding surface proteins. There are additional proteins inside the virus that resemble fuzzy threads and blobs.

Description: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) - Causes AIDS. No vaccine or cure exists—but scientists have developed protective therapies (such as PReP) and life-saving treatments.

Art by @patriciapauchnick for LJI's Immune Matters Magazine

Art by @patriciapauchnick for LJI's Immune Matters Magazine

#Immunology #Science #STEM #Biology #Health #Medicine #SanDiego #Microbiology #SciComm #SciArt #Virology #Measles #Nipah #ZoonoticDisease #VaccineResearch #GlobalHealth

Alt text: Illustration of two paramyxoviruses with descriptions. These viruses are illustrated in shades of pink and orange. They resemble spheres with protruding surface proteins that look like small florets.

Nipah virus - Carried by bats. Known for its high mortality rate. Has caused deadly outbreaks in southeastern Africa and Southeast Asia. There are no approved vaccines or treatments.

Measles virus - A growing cause of childhood death worldwide. Vaccination rates are dropping. Pregnant people and immunocompromised people cannot receive the vaccine.

Art by @patriciapauchnick for LJI's Immune Matters Magazine

Description: Illustration of Ebola virus with description. The virus is illustrated in shades of pink and light blue. Ebola virus resembles a twisted filament or worm. The surface of the virus is covered in protruding receptors. Description: Ebola virus is spread by infected wild animals. Known for its high mortality rate. Two licensed vaccines exist.

Orion 15 channel imaging of a normal murine ileum spiral. Courtesy of Simon Goldstein, La Jolla Institute for Immunology. The image shows the wavy lining of the ileum, with finger-like villa reaching out. Cells are highlighted with green, purple, pink, and blue florescent markers.

Illustration of three bacteria illustrated in shades of blue with descriptions:

Bordetella pertussis - Resembles a bean with hair-like appendages. Description: This bacterium causes whooping cough. Vaccines exist—but immunocompromised people are still at risk. Cases in the United States are rising as vaccination rates fall.

Mycobacterium tuberculosis. This is a rod-shaped bacterium. Causes tuberculosis. A vaccine exists—but around 10 million people around the world are still infected by this bacterium every year.

Streptococcus pneumoniae. This bacterium resembles segmented strings. Causes pneumonia and pneumococcal meningitis. There are vaccines—but cases are still rising in the United States.