Exploring the delicate balance of immune regulation and its implications for treating autoimmune diseases, cancer, and infections
Imagine an army so powerful it can protect you from thousands of different invaders daily, yet so precise it never mistakenly attacks your own cells. This isn't science fiction—it's your immune system, performing an extraordinary balancing act every moment of your life.
Autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis, type 1 diabetes, and multiple sclerosis occur when the body's defenses turn hostile 1 .
The 2025 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine was awarded for discoveries concerning "peripheral immune tolerance"—the mechanisms preventing immune self-attack 2 .
Rapid-response first line of defense
Highly-specific targeted response
Regulatory T cells (T-regs) function as an elite security force that travels throughout the body, disarming any immune cells that mistakenly attack the body's own tissues 7 .
First identification of regulatory T cells as a distinct T cell subset 3
Established concept of peripheral immune toleranceIdentified Foxp3 gene mutation causing autoimmune disease 2 7
Revealed genetic master switch controlling T-reg developmentDemonstrated Foxp3 specifically expresses in T-regs 7
Connected genetic discovery to cellular mechanismThe Anolik Laboratory focuses on B cells and their role in immune diseases 1 .
The Robert Laboratory studies immune surveillance and tumor immunity 1 .
The Singh Lab focuses on immune pathogenesis of viral infections 1 .
| Laboratory | Research Focus | Applications |
|---|---|---|
| Dunman Lab | Using S. aureus and A. baumannii as model organisms 1 | New antibiotics for drug-resistant bacteria |
| Serra-Moreno Lab | How HIV overcomes innate immune barriers 1 | New therapeutic approaches for HIV |
| Sant Lab | Immunodominance in CD4 T cell responses 1 | Improved vaccine design strategies |
| Munger Lab | Mechanisms of pathogenic metabolic manipulation 1 | Novel drug targets |
Analyzes physical and chemical characteristics of cells as they flow in a fluid stream
Identifying immune cell types based on surface markersDetects and measures antibodies or antigens in samples
Measuring antibody levels in vaccine studiesGrows cells under controlled conditions
Studying immune cell behavior in controlled settingsDetermines nucleotide sequences in DNA/RNA 7
Identifying mutations in immune-related genesBoosting T-reg numbers for autoimmune diseases or temporarily inhibiting them for cancer treatment 8
Tailoring treatments based on individual immune responses and host-pathogen interactions 1
Developing specialized immunology programs to ensure comprehensive immunology literacy
Our understanding of the immune system has transformed dramatically—from seeing it as a simple defense force to recognizing it as an intricately regulated ecosystem with its own security guards and fail-safe mechanisms. The groundbreaking work on regulatory T cells that earned the 2025 Nobel Prize represents just one chapter in this ongoing story of discovery 2 .
At the University of Rochester and other research institutions worldwide, scientists continue to unravel the mysteries of how our immune system maintains the delicate balance between protection and self-tolerance. Each discovery not only deepens our understanding of human biology but also opens new possibilities for treating diseases that affect millions worldwide.