Department of Immunology & Microbiology
Our immune system is a wonder—rebuffing harmful viruses, bacteria, cancers and other threats while working in partnership with our microbiome to maintain our health. We pair foundational biological research with the development of new vaccines and other therapies to help eradicate diseases worldwide.
Our Research
The Department of Immunology & Microbiology combines a deep mechanistic understanding of immune responses and pathogens with a commitment to translating this knowledge into treatments and cures for infectious disease, cancer and autoimmunity. Scripps Research scientists are exploring everything from developing new types of vaccines against HIV and flu viruses to using artificial intelligence to understand the spread and evolution of deadly pathogens. We educate and train the next generation of scientific leaders who will shape the future of immunology and microbiology research.
The department focuses on several research areas, including:
- Infectious diseases, such as HIV, Ebola, Zika, hepatitis and viral hemorrhagic fever, and designing vaccines to eradicate these and other diseases
- Innate and responsive immune systems, especially B cells and T cells, which are bulwarks against infection but also become bad actors in certain viral diseases and autoimmune disorders such as lupus, multiple sclerosis and type 1 diabetes
- Impact of specific microbiota species on host physiology, immunity, disease progression and therapy
- Interactions between the immune system and nervous system in health and disease
- The development of new therapies and therapeutic targets to improve immunotherapy for cancer and to control or cure persistent infections and autoimmune diseases.
Our Team
Major Achievements
A Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine
In 2011, Bruce Beutler was recognized for the discovery of Toll-like receptors (TLRs) and innate immune activation which transformed our understanding of how the immune system recognizes pathogens and initiates immune responses and opened major pathways for vaccine development, inflammation research and immunotherapy.
The conception of Scripps Research as we know it today
One of the founding figures of immunology, Frank Dixon established the Department of Experimental Pathology in 1961, which became the foundation of Scripps Research. His work helped define modern immunopathology and in 1975, he was awarded the Albert Lasker Basic Medical Research Award.
A launchpad for life-changing discovery
Immunologists and microbiologists from Scripps Research have a proven track record of translational contributions, including discoveries that resulted in the creation of autoimmune disease therapies such as Humira and Zeposia.
