The immune system influences nearly every aspect of human health, from resistance to infection and cancer to healthy aging and tissue repair. Yet immune responses vary dramatically from person to person, shaped by genetics, environment, diet, metabolism, age, and prior immune experience.
At JAX, researchers are developing a systems-level understanding of immunity by integrating immunology with genomics, computational biology, and advanced mouse and cellular models. JAX scientists investigate the molecular and cellular mechanisms that shape immune resilience and dysfunction, enabling discovery of biomarkers, therapeutic targets, and precision medicine strategies for cancer, infectious diseases, autoimmune disorders, and age-related immune decline.
distinct immune cell types
known immune-related diseases
systems immunology researchers at JAX
publications in 5 years
agencies funding JAX immunology research
Sources: Mayo Clinic, UCLA Health, Nakamura et al. PLOS (2024)
JAX researchers combine immunology, single-cell genomics, and computational modeling to understand how immune systems vary across individuals and how those differences influence health and disease outcomes.
Our work spans:
"JAX is uniquely positioned to lead the field of systems immunology. By integrating biological discovery with data science, JAX researchers are building a predictive understanding of the immune system that will transform the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of disease."
- Duygu Ucar, Ph.D. | Chair of Systems Immunology, JAX Florine Deschenes Roux Endowed Chair
Protein known for suppressing immunity in cancer instead strengthens antiviral defenses
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Study finds infants’ immune systems respond very differently to the two viruses, with important treatment implications.
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Why do some people stay healthy and resilient as they age while others become more vulnerable to disease?
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When it comes to aging skin, scientists think of much more than wrinkles. They think of an organ with multitudes of microbes, immune cells, structural proteins, and chemical signals that constantly interact with one another. JAX’s Sasan Jalili is investigating how to probe the complex biological interactions in skin to gain a better understanding of the physiological decline that comes with aging apart from the number of birthdays someone has had—and to reveal new insights about possible interventions to promote healthy aging. Jalili argues that skin is an accessible ecosystem that scientists may be able to sample repeatedly and relatively easily for clues into the biology of aging.
Single-cell map of the healthy human immune system across the lifespan reveals unique infant immune signatures. Nature Communications (2026).
Leveraging tissue-resident memory T cells for non-invasive immune monitoring via microneedle skin patches. Nature Biomedical Engineering (2026).
A systems immunology approach reveals divergent immune profiles of RSV and SARS-CoV-2 infections in infants. Science Translational Medicine (2026).
Transcripts with high distal heritability mediate genetic effects on complex metabolic traits. Nature Communications (2025).
Caspase-11 drives macrophage hyperinflammation in models of Polg-related mitochondrial disease. Nature Communications (2025).
Non-neutralizing antibodies to influenza A matrix-protein-2-ectodomain are broadly effective therapeutics and resistant to viral escape mutations. Science Advances (2025).
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JAX research extends far beyond any single disease area.
Through integrated, collaborative discovery, our scientists are advancing science into Alzheimer’s disease, breast and ovarian cancer, cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, endometriosis, infectious disease, lung cancer, Parkinson’s disease, rare genetic disorders, and more.
