The prize recognizes foundational discoveries about regulatory T cells and the FOXP3 gene that redefined immune tolerance and opened avenues to treat autoimmune disease, enable transplantation, and advance immuno-oncology. ISB celebrates Dr. Brunkow’s leadership and collaborative science.
The pioneering work of Mary Brunkow and Fred Ramsdell began with a mysterious mutant mouse known as “scurfy,” leading them to identify the FOXP3 gene and unlock how regulatory T cells prevent autoimmune disease — discoveries that now point to new treatments in cancer and autoimmunity.
ISB researchers reveal a darker side of targeted therapy: the same oncogene inhibition that shuts down cancer growth program can also ignite a stress-driven identity switch — revealing an early escape route that may shape the future of cancer treatment
ISB researchers use single-cell sequencing to reveal hidden defenses against bacteriophages — and introduce a powerful new way to study phage-microbe interactions.
New research from ISB’s Gibbons Lab shows that computer models of gut metabolism can predict whether probiotics will successfully establish in an individual’s microbiome and how dietary prebiotics shape health-related molecules in the gut. The findings point toward a future of more personalized, predictable microbiome-based interventions.
ISB Professor Dr. Nitin Baliga has been elected to the American Academy of Microbiology as part of the 2026 Fellowship Class — a highly selective honor recognizing exceptional scientific achievement and leadership in the microbial sciences. Baliga joins 62 peers from 14 countries selected through a rigorous peer-review process.
Researchers at the Institute for Systems Biology argue that combining systems biology, longitudinal multiomics data, and artificial intelligence could transform healthcare from reactive treatment to proactive prevention, enabling scientists and clinicians to detect early molecular signs of disease and intervene before symptoms appear.
ISB has won a 2025 AWS Imagine Grant to advance Tarpon, a generative AI platform that generates digital fingerprints of T cell receptors. By linking immune signatures to genomic and clinical data, Tarpon enables rapid discovery and the design of targeted therapies.