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We are looking forward to host Professor Juliana Idoyaga from University of California, San Diego for LIT seminar.

Her lab is driven by one central question: how do dendritic cells (DCs) – the immune system’s decision-makers – control lymphocyte responses? 

To tackle this, they combine high-resolution -omics technologies, in vivo models, and clinically relevant therapies to study human and mouse DCs side by side, along with their close relatives—monocytes and macrophages. This integrative strategy enables them to define the distinct molecular programs that set DCs apart within the broader immune landscape. Her work spans five key areas: (1) the origins and functions of emerging DC subsets; (2) how DC gene programs are regulated; (3) how DCs specialize in different tissues; (4) the roles DCs play in human immune responses; and (5) how cancer therapies reshape DC function. By understanding how DCs develop, adapt, and act compared to monocytes and macrophages, the goal is to turn these insights into precise, personalized, and effective DC-based immune therapies.

When: Friday, November 20th at 15:00. Fika will be available from 14:30, courtesy of Stem Cell Technologies.

Where: Segerfalksalen, BMC A10

6 November 2026

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The airway epithelium plays a central role in the pathogenesis of asthma and COPD, acting not only as a physical barrier but also as an active regulator of innate immune responses. Epithelial-derived alarmins, including TSLP and IL-33, contribute to airway inflammation, while impaired antiviral interferon responses may increase susceptibility to virus-induced exacerbations.

In this seminar, we will discuss how epithelial immune dysregulation contributes to chronic airway disease, highlighting the interplay between inflammatory and antiviral pathways. We will then present ongoing translational research in the group, aimed at improving our understanding of disease mechanisms in asthma and COPD. This will include the RECONSTRUCT study where we could demonstrate that asthma mainstay treatment affects antiviral pathways in patients with asthma dependent on their underlying inflammation.

When: Monday, November 16th at 10:00

Where: BMC A10, Segerfalksalen

Stay afterwards for fika and discussion provided by Miltenyi Biotec.

2 November 2026

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We are happy to host Prof. Qiang Pan-Hammarström and Prof. Ola Winqvist, both from Karolinska Institute for LIT seminar.

Ola Winqvist is professor of cellular immunotherapy at Karolinska Institutet and senior physician at the department of clinical immunology and transfusion medicine at Karolinska University Hospital. He will give a talk on T-cell Immunotherapy of solid cancer.

Prof. Qiang Pan-Hammarström has her research group at the department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, where they focus on primary immunodeficiency and B cell malignancy. Her seminar will be on “Infections, immunity and B cell lymphogenisis”. 

When: Friday, 30.10.206 at 9:30 (Fika from 09:00)

Where: Segerfalksalen

19 October 2026

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LIT Seminar with Rikard Holmdahl

Rikard Holmdahl’s research group is dedicated to uncovering the genetic and molecular mechanisms that drive autoimmune diseases, with a particular focus on arthritis. His work aims to identify critical genes and pathways that regulate immune tolerance and inflammation, ultimately paving the way for new diagnostics, vaccines and targeted therapies against chronic inflammation.

When: Tuesday, 13.10.2026

Where: Segerfalksalen at BMC, A10

1 October 2026

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LIT Seminar with Gunilla Karlsson Hedestam

Gunilla Karlsson Hedestam, who is a Distinguished Professor at Karolinska Institutet’s Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology will be presenting her exciting work on The hidden genetics of human adaptive immunity.

Her lab uses single-cell and immune repertoire sequencing to dissect antibody responses to HIV, influenza, and SARS-CoV-2, as well as isolation of broadly neutralizing antibodies relevant to vaccine design. In addition, and her lab developed IgDiscover, a widely used tool for building personalized germline antibody gene databases.

When: Wednesday, 23.09.2026 at 15:00

Where: Belfragesalen, at BMC D15.

Everyone is welcome!

21 September 2026

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LIT Seminar – Invited Speaker announcement

We are kicking of the fall with our first talk by Prof. Dr. Dr. med. Silvio Brugger from University Hospital Zurich.

Silvio is Senior Attending Physician at the Department of Infectious Diseases and Hospital Hygiene and has his own research group. Its main focus is on bacterial interspecies interactions in the human host as a source for microbiota-targeted therapies. In addition, he is also working on projects about infectious disease epidemiology and antimicrobial resistance. 

Abstract:
Respiratory pathogens remain a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, and increasing antimicrobial resistance highlights the need for novel preventive and therapeutic strategies. Growing evidence indicates that the resident microbial communities of the upper respiratory tract play an important role in maintaining health and influencing susceptibility to infection. This presentation explores how beneficial members of the respiratory microbiota can limit pathogen colonization and enhance host defense mechanisms. Using a combination of microbiome analyses, experimental coculture systems, advanced tissue models, and host-pathogen interaction studies, the work demonstrates that commensal microorganisms can both directly inhibit pathogen growth and indirectly strengthen epithelial and immune-mediated protection. These findings support the concept that modulation of the respiratory microbiota represents a promising approach to prevent infections, improve treatment outcomes, and reduce reliance on conventional antibiotics. Ultimately, microbiota-based interventions may provide new opportunities for personalized and sustainable management of infectious diseases.

Everyone is welcome!
Best wishes,
LIT organizing team

7 September 2026

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We are back for fall

Dear LIT community,

Hope you all had a great summer and are ready for a new semester with Lund Immunotalks! 

We have an exciting lineup of speakers for the fall semester, so please mark the dates in your calendars and join us for amazing science, conversations and fika.

Everyone is welcome!

Best wishes,
LIT organizing team

28 August 2026

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LIT 2026: A Day of Barrier Immunity and Community

On May 13, 2026, Medicon Village Auditorium hosted the Lund ImmunoTalks (LIT) Symposium, bringing together around 120 researchers from Lund University, the University of Copenhagen, and Gothenburg University for a day focused on tissue immunity. 

This year’s theme – Tissue Immunity: Defense at the Frontline – explored immune responses across barrier tissues like skin, lung, gut, and bladder. Our international speakers delivered engaging presentations that sparked discussions throughout the day. 

Eduardo Villablanca (Karolinska Institute) compared the intestinal barrier to a bar separating drinks from customers, an analogy that resonated with everyone. Yasmine Belkaid (Pasteur Institute) presented fascinating work on how endogenous retroviruses can stimulate tissue repair, while Molly Ingersoll (Pasteur Institute) explained the sex differences in urinary tract infections with both humor and insight. Carolyn King (University of Basel) framed CD4 T cells as “air traffic controllers” in the lung, and Mauro Gaya (CIML) shared his research on B cells in the lung. 

The panel discussion on academic freedom was particularly engaging. Our speakers shared thoughtful perspectives on protecting academic freedom in an increasingly complex political landscape, a timely reminder that we must actively take charge of the conditions that enable our work. 

The poster session featured approximately 20 presentations from early career researchers, creating lively exchanges and valuable feedback. With representation from across Lund University’s and a record number of attendees from Copenhagen University, the symposium demonstrated how immunology brings together researchers across disciplines and institutions. 

We’re grateful to our organizing committee, sponsors, and all participants who made this day such a success. The positive feedback has been wonderful, and we’re already looking forward to next year! 

22 May 2026

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Lund Immunotalks Symposium 2026 – This Years Full Program!

We are delighted to share the official schedule for the 3rd Lund Immunotalks Symposium 2026.

This year’s theme “Tissue Immunity: Defence at the Frontline” will explore how immune responses are orchestrated across the body’s key interfaces, from the skin to the respiratory and intestinal mucosa. Expect exciting lectures and an engaging panel discussion on academic freedom. Don’t miss out on our poster and mingle session in the evening!


We can’t wait to see you there for another inspiring day of scientific discussions!

4 May 2026

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