Dr. Minutti’s presentation delved into the heterogeneity and specialization of conventional dendritic cells (cDCs), offering new insights into their function in health and disease. His work contributes to a broader understanding of immune system regulation, a key area of interest within the ImmunoHUB project.

In addition to his seminar, Carlos Minutti also participated as a lecturer in the Advanced Programme in Infection and Immunity, part of the MCBiology Doctoral Programme. His contribution enriched the training of young researchers by providing cutting-edge knowledge in immunology and infection research.

His talk explored the intricate mechanisms of mycobacterial infections, shedding light on immune evasion strategies and potential therapeutic interventions. By integrating fundamental microbiology with immunology, the seminar contributed to ImmunoHub’s mission of fostering collaboration and advancing research on immune-related diseases.

This event, aligned with the objectives of the EU-funded ImmunoHub project, emphasized the importance of international scientific cooperation in tackling infectious diseases. 

This prestigious fellowship recognizes their dedication and excellence in immunology research, supporting their doctoral training and scientific contributions. Their success is a testament to the quality of research fostered within the ImmunoHUB network and highlights the importance of investing in the next generation of scientists.

We congratulate Beatriz, Inês, and Thales on this well-deserved recognition and look forward to their exciting research ahead.

The two-day event featured a series of keynote lectures, panel discussions, and poster presentations that highlighted breakthroughs in understanding the complex interplay between the immune and nervous systems. Topics ranged from neuroinflammatory mechanisms in neurodegenerative diseases to immune modulation in brain health and disease, offering attendees fresh perspectives on emerging challenges and opportunities for collaboration.

Among the highlights were keynote presentations by world-renowned experts who shared insights into how advances in immunology and neuroscience can drive innovative therapies. The event also emphasized the critical role of interdisciplinary research in unraveling the shared mechanisms underlying these fields.

In addition to the scientific sessions, participants had the opportunity to network and explore potential collaborations aimed at translating discoveries into clinical applications. The success of the event reflects the commitment of both ImmunoHUB and NCBio to fostering innovation, collaboration, and excellence in European biomedical research.

Even though the Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor (AHR) was originally identified as a receptor that binds xenobiotics, it was subsequently found to have a critical role in numerous biological processes, including immunity and inflammation. In 2014, Pedro Moura-Alves and Stefan H. E. Kaufmann proposed the AHR as a novel pattern recognition receptor, based on the finding that the AHR can be directly or indirectly modulated by molecules produced by various microorganisms. The field of AHR in the context of infection and immunity has evolved and matured during the past years, and the authors felt that “a review of the literature on microbial-derived AHR ligands, and AHR-elicited responses against different infections was missing”.

A team effort between two i3S researchers Palmira Barreira-Silva and Pedro Moura-Alves, and their collaborators resulted in this review article published in Nature Reviews Immunology, encompassing the current understanding of AHR’s roles in bacterial, fungal, parasitic, and viral infections, as well as the potential of targeting the AHR for host-directed therapies against infection.

In this review, the authors also raise three important points: 1) the AHR research field needs standardization of the definition of an AHR ligand; 2) systematic studies are needed to expedite our understanding of the roles of the AHR in infection, taking into account that both microbial and endogenous AHR ligands may be present at the infection site; and 3) during therapy one should keep in mind that the AHR can be modulated by therapeutic drugs and also modulate drug efficacy. Additionally, the authors note that many studies use exogenous ligands to modulate the AHR during infection, however, caution is needed as the outcome of that modulation varies according to the experimental context (including infectious agent, host model, infection route, among others).

According to the authors, “This review is both timely and highly relevant to the Immunology community studying host-microbe interactions, given the growing number of studies exploring the interplay between AHR and infection”.

The Escape Room, designed by the ImmunoHUB team, transported participants into a high-stakes scenario where they had to solve puzzles and scientific challenges to halt the spread of a superbug. As participants navigated the activity, they learned about the mechanisms of antimicrobial resistance, the consequences of misuse of antibiotics, and the urgent need for research and action to combat this global health threat.

The activity was a resounding success, with attendees of all ages expressing enthusiasm for the innovative way science was presented. The Escape Room not only raised awareness about AMR but also highlighted ImmunoHUB’s commitment to engaging the community in critical research topics and fostering a dialogue between scientists and the public.

ImmunoHUB team thanks all participants and visitors who joined us for this memorable event.

Dr. Hawkins presented cutting-edge research on integrating multi-omic technologies—combining genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, and metabolomics—to unravel the complex spatial dynamics of plasma cell disorders. 

The seminar was followed by a lively discussion about the future of multi-omic applications in immunology and precision medicine. The event reflects ImmunoHUB’s mission to foster collaboration and innovation across the European immunology research community.

Stay tuned for more events and updates from ImmunoHUB!

Dr. Boccellato’s seminar delved into the complexities of the gastrointestinal mucosa, highlighting its role as a protective barrier composed of a polarized epithelial monolayer covered in mucus. He discussed how chronic inflammation, driven by the colonization of pathogens, can significantly increase the risk of adenocarcinoma development at infection sites.

A key focus of the presentation was Dr. Boccellato’s innovative work in regenerating organoids and developing “mucosoids”—a groundbreaking functional epithelial monolayer culture derived from human multi-lineage stem cells. These mucosoid models, which mimic the functionality of real mucosa including mucus accumulation on the apical side, have provided unprecedented insights into epithelial homeostasis and the response to bacterial infections.

The seminar sparked vibrant discussions among attendees, emphasizing the potential of mucosoid models in advancing our understanding of epithelial biology, host-pathogen interactions, and cancer initiation.

This recognition underscores the exceptional quality of research being conducted at ISSD group and highlights the talent of our researchers. We congratulate Inês on this outstanding achievement! 

Cátia Santos presented their research on AHR-Melanoma dynamics and impressed the judges with their innovative approach, clear presentation, and comprehensive understanding of the subject matter. The award recognizes her outstanding work and contributions to the field of biotechnology. This award is a testament to Cátia’s work and dedication, and we congratulate her on this remarkable achievement.