The Keio University Human Biology-Microbiome-Quantum Research Center (WPI-Bio2Q) held two seminars, as follows:

Wednesday, June 25, 2025, 14:00-16:00

JKiC 1F, Keio University Shinanomachi Campus (Onsite Only)

1. Daniel Mucida, Ph.D. ,
Mucosal Immunology, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, The Rockefeller University, USA
Bio2Q International Collaborator

“TRACKing virus-specific T cells across tissues”

Dr. Daniel Mucida is an internationally recognized expert in mucosal immunology, with a particular emphasis on the immune system of the intestinal mucosa. His research addresses how the gut immune system balances protective responses against pathogens (resistance) with tolerance to harmless dietary and microbial antigens. This balance is critical for preventing diseases like allergies, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and colorectal cancer.

2. Carolina Lucas, Ph.D.
Immunobiology, Yale Institute for Global Health, Yale University, USA

“From Eradication to Outbreak: Lessons from historical Orthopoxvirus vaccines on immune memory and cross-protection”

Dr. Carolina Lucas leads the Lucas Lab at Yale, which is dedicated to understanding immune responses to emerging viral infections and vaccines, with a particular emphasis on older adults. Her research explores both resistance and disease tolerance mechanisms following infection or vaccination, aiming to inform new therapeutic strategies and vaccine development. The lab investigates how immune responses differ across age groups and seeks to identify the basic immunological mechanisms necessary for controlling viral infections.