UCLA Immunology Research: A New Frontier in Medicine
UCLA is at the forefront of immunology research, driving groundbreaking discoveries and developing innovative therapies to combat a wide range of diseases. With a focus on understanding the complexities of the immune system and harnessing its power to fight illness, UCLA's immunology programs are poised to revolutionize healthcare.
The Promise of Immunology and Immunotherapy
Immunology, the study of the immune system, is rapidly transforming medicine. Immunotherapy, which leverages the body's own immune system to fight diseases, is showing remarkable promise in treating cancer, autoimmune disorders, and other conditions like Alzheimer's disease. As Dr. Linda Liau, chair of the Department of Neurosurgery at UCLA Health, notes, "This is really an exciting time, where we’re now just seeing some glimpses of what could be possible in terms of cures to diseases."
UCLA's Cross-Campus Initiative: I3T
To accelerate progress in this field, UCLA launched Immunity, Inflammation, Infection, and Transplantation (I3T), a cross-campus initiative aimed at programming the immune system to combat cancer and infectious diseases like HIV/AIDS, Ebola, influenza, Tuberculosis, and measles. I3T also focuses on improving organ transplant strategies to prevent rejection.
I3T researchers are dedicated to unraveling the intricacies of the human immune system, seeking to understand its strengths and weaknesses before serious illnesses occur. Their studies have already illuminated many molecular mechanisms, paving the way for new medicines and therapies.
The Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center Tumor Immunology & Immunotherapy (TII) Research Program
The UCLA Health Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center's Tumor Immunology & Immunotherapy (TII) research program is dedicated to enhancing the understanding of tumor immunology and developing new immunotherapies for cancer. By focusing on fundamental biological processes and applying these insights to create innovative immune-modulating agents and genetically engineered adoptive-cell-transfer therapies, the TII program fosters interdisciplinary collaborations and a systematic approach to developing next-generation cancer immunotherapies. The TII Research Program's principal objective is to support and expand the pipeline of novel immunotherapies from bench to bedside, to benefit cancer patients in the JCCC Los Angeles County catchment area and beyond.
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The TII program brings together basic and translational scientists in an environment that has fostered novel investigator-initiated immunotherapy clinical trials and the approval of immune checkpoint inhibitor therapies for a broad range of tumor types. The TII program focuses on antibody fusion proteins for cancer therapy and their combination with targeted therapies to sensitize cancer cells to immunotherapy, and improving the lives of patients with AIDS-related cancers.
Leadership in Immunology Research
UCLA boasts a team of renowned experts leading the charge in immunology research:
- Dr. Antoni Ribas: A professor of medicine, surgery, and molecular and medical pharmacology, Dr. Ribas directs the Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy Center at UCLA. His research focuses on gene-engineered T cells, PD-1 blockade, and BRAF targeted therapies, with the goal of developing groundbreaking cancer immunotherapies. Dr. Ribas develops interventions that mobilize the immune system to fight cancer and reveals techniques for blocking the cellular pathways cancer exploits to evade immune-system attack.
- Dr. Yvonne Chen: An associate professor of microbiology, immunology, and molecular genetics, Dr. Chen applies synthetic biology and biomolecular engineering techniques to develop novel mammalian cell systems, particularly T-cell therapy for cancer. She sponsored the first investigator-initiated chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cell therapy trial at UCLA.
- Dr. Gay Crooks: Dr. Crooks uses hematopoietic stem cells to bolster and rebuild patients' immune systems.
- Dr. Donald Kohn: Dr. Kohn develops techniques to correct genetic mutations that cause certain blood diseases.
- Dr. Manish Butte: Dr. Butte runs a unique lab that blends immunology, cellular biophysics, and engineering to study the influence of tissue mechanics on immune system function.
Addressing Genetic Immune Diseases
A fundamental focus of UCLA's immunology research is on human genetic immune diseases. These rare, inborn errors of immunity can arise in children and adults, leading to infections, autoimmunity, immune dysregulation, inflammation, and even cancer. UCLA researchers are dedicated to improving the diagnosis, treatment, and cures of these diseases through techniques from bioengineering, advanced microscopy, synthetic biology, and genetic sequencing.
The California Institute for Immunology and Immunotherapy: A Hub for Innovation
UCLA is establishing the California Institute for Immunology and Immunotherapy at the UCLA Research Park in Westwood, with the goal of making Los Angeles the "immunology equivalent of Silicon Valley." This institute will leverage emerging discoveries in immunology and immunotherapy to develop paradigm-shifting treatments for a range of diseases.
The institute will bring together scientists and industry partners to streamline the process from scientific discovery to tangible treatments for patients. The biggest blockage in that transition from new knowledge in the laboratory to patients is usually this incredibly difficult thing of getting something you can put into a human being in a clinical trial.
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Located at the former Westside Pavilion mall, the 700,000-square-foot property will also house the UCLA Center for Quantum Science & Engineering. The research park and immunology institute are supported by state, university and philanthropic funds. Intellectual properties developed through the institute will also be an economic driver, benefitting the scientists, associated industries and UCLA. The university can also choose to co-invest in start-up companies that emerge around the new treatments created at the institute.
The Future of Immunotherapy
The California Institute for Immunology and Immunotherapy will bring together scientists and industry partners to streamline the process from scientific discovery to tangible treatments for patients, Dr. Witte says.
Leveraging the next waves of technology and science - quantum computing and the immense potential of immunology - the UCLA Research Park will cement California’s global economic, scientific and technological dominance into the 22nd century, and beyond,” California Gov. Gavin Newsom said at a news conference in January.
Philanthropic Support
Philanthropic support is crucial to advancing immunology research at UCLA. Donations to the Immunology Research Fund can help researchers seek treatments for a wide range of diseases, including cancer, HIV/AIDS, Ebola, influenza, Tuberculosis, measles, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer’s disease, obesity, and diabetes.
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