@obalsiger.bsky.social
Director of Finance, Membership and Publishing at the British Society for Immunology (BSI), also Treasurer/Trustee of Applied Microbiology International (AMI). Dad who loves science and sports (especially #immunology and #taekwondo) All views are my own.
New review by Bouvain et al. highlights how ¹⁹F MRI is transforming immune imaging, offering precise inflammation detection and theranostic potential. Exciting advances include targeted neutrophil manipulation in colitis with improved outcomes.
🔗 vist.ly/4unwr
📣 Call for Papers!
CD40 turns 40: Four Decades of “Forty”-fying Immunotherapy — is open for submissions until March 2026. Share your work on CD40/CD154 biology, therapeutic targeting, and future immunotherapy innovations.
Learn more about submitting here: vist.ly/4us3h
📣 Last chance to submit!
The Advances in Veterinary Immunology Special Collection, led by Prof. Jayne Hope, is open for submissions until the end March 2026.
Share your work on veterinary immune systems, comparative immunology, vaccines, and One Health research.
Submit: vist.ly/4uscp
New open‑access study by Maria Z. Krauss et al. shows how amino acid uptake and mTOR signalling in CD4⁺ T cells power immunity to Trichuris muris. SLC7A5 proves essential, and loss of mTOR leads to chronic infection.
🔗 https://vist.ly/4unhy
🤖 How is AI changing drug discovery?
At the BSI ITS, James Zou will discuss AI “scientist agents” accelerating discovery, while Emily Corse explores how cancer foundation models could predict treatment response and identify new targets.
Register here: vist.ly/4umcg
It was great being in Perth at the #SIGNET meeting today.
Loved meeting everyone and going round the fantastic posters.
A wonderful day
🚨 Two weeks to go until applications close for the BSI Career Enhancing Grant!
Seeking support for a pilot project, professional development, or new learning experience?
See how the grant can support you & make sure you apply by 25 March ➡️ bit.ly/3QedNDL
⏳ One week to go until our Foundations of immunology online course!
Join us on to learn the fundamentals of the immune system, from innate & adaptive immunity to vaccines & immunotherapies.
Past attendees reported a 76% increase in confidence. Sign up: vist.ly/4uhnn
It’s British Science Week! 🔬
The 2026 theme is “Curiosity: what’s your question?”
At the BSI we’re celebrating by sharing activities and resources exploring the immune system, from vaccines to allergies, to spark and explore that curiosity.
🔗 vist.ly/4u8kq
#BSW26
Studying how environment shapes immunity? 🌿🧬 The Ecoimmunology Special Collection is open for submissions, spanning wild systems, naturalised lab models, holistic human studies, and computational advances.
Learn more: https://academic.oup.com/discovimmunology/pages/calls-for-papers
Do read this great new paper from @discovimmunol.bsky.social
🔬 New open‑access research shows how T‑cell signals (CD40L & IL‑4) can reduce NK‑cell ADCC against malignant B cells, revealing a resistance mechanism to anti‑CD20 therapy. Combining anti‑CD20 + anti‑NKG2A may overcome it.
Read: vist.ly/4tzga
🔬 Open‑access study investigates how neutrophils contribute to multiple sclerosis.
Using proteomics, it reveals altered granule proteins, shifts in pro‑inflammatory signalling, reduced T‑cell suppression, and enhanced Th17 differentiation in MS.
Read: vist.ly/4tuwr
Looking forward to this
Develop your skills in single cell and spatial omics, now essential in the world of immunology!
Join us in April 2026 for a 5-week online course, rated 9.5/10 by participants.
Exclusive discount is available to BSI members 👀 Secure your spot today: bit.ly/4rNRGEb
It’s so important to highlight the importance of vaccines
🔬 New open‑access review explores tumour‑associated macrophages (TAMs): their role in tumour progression, metastasis, therapy resistance, and the ongoing challenge of identifying reliable TAM surface markers for immunotherapy development.
🔗 https://bit.ly/4i95qnm
Last chance to submit your abstract for #OIS26 ⏰
The deadline is 23:59 GMT this Sunday 1 March. Selected abstracts will be chosen for short talks at the Oxford Immunology Showcase on 1 April 2026.
Do not miss your chance to present your research. 🔗 bit.ly/4qUY8bD
Pneumovax 23 (PPV23) is being discontinued from routine use in the UK.
Read our consensus statement on implications for immunodeficiency diagnosis and immunoglobulin access to help avoid unnecessary diagnostic delay or inequity of access to care.
bit.ly/4aOAt6f
Got immune metabolism research to share?
Submit an abstract for our UK immunometabolism meeting 2026 taking place 16-17 April 2026. The deadline is next Thursday, 5 March, so don't miss out! #UKimmunomet26
Submit and register here: https://bit.ly/493uE45
🚨 Call for Papers! “CD40 turns 40: Four Decades of ‘Forty’-fying Immunotherapy.”
We invite submissions on CD40/CD154 biology & therapeutic innovation across cancer, autoimmunity, transplantation & allergy.
📝 Deadline: March 2026
📩 More info: journals@immunology.org
🗓️ One month to go!
Vaccine Engagement Day 2026 is on 25 March. Our campaign resources are now live, so get ready to #CelebrateVaccines and highlight the vital role immunisation plays in protecting individuals & communities.
🔗 Learn more here: https://bit.ly/3MI35X0
Looking to build vital skills for your future? Additional training or workshops could give you an important edge!
Our Career Enhancing Grant supports training like this. Applications close 25 March.
Explore how we can support you & apply here: https://bit.ly/3QedNDL
🧪 Study shows Staphylococcus aureus exotoxin SEB can bind and activate the immune receptor 2B4, driving allergic inflammation. 2B4‑KO mice showed reduced inflammatory responses, suggesting 2B4 as a potential therapeutic target.
🔗 https://bit.ly/4my2B1e
Final reminder! Apply for the BSI-CIPN Clinical Audit Grant by this coming Monday, 23 February 2026.
Up to £5,000 available, funded by an educational grant from Grifols.
Apply here: https://bit.ly/49ULl3k
🧬 Research shows newborn immunity differs sharply from adults: NK cells and ILCs are functionally mature at birth, while NKT‑like cells are far less abundant and less active. Important context for understanding early‑life infection risk.
🔗 https://bit.ly/3JfJag1
🧬 Spatial profiling of metastatic dMMR colorectal cancer shows why some lesions respond to PD‑1 therapy: responsive sites have strong cytotoxic/IFN‑γ activity, while resistant ones show immunosuppressive macrophage programs.
🔗 https://bit.ly/4qSV3bL
#Immunotherapy #CancerResearch
Immune therapies are transforming medicine, but progress depends on collaboration across academia, industry and the clinic.
Join sector leaders at the BSI Immune Therapies Summit, 18–19 May in Cambridge, to discuss what comes next for immune therapy development.
Register now 👉 bit.ly/4s1nFR9
This is going to be a great event #ImmuneAgeing26
Metabolic dysregulation plays a key role in Behçet’s disease. Elevated glucose & TAG levels drive Th1 differentiation, CD8⁺ T cell activation and B cell antibody production, contributing to immune dysfunction.
Read the study: https://bit.ly/44HA2t9