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2022 SMI Newsletter | Issue 3

President's Message

I write my first message as the new President of the SMI with some degree of trepidation but also with tremendous enthusiasm for the task(s) ahead. SMI has been such an important part of my research life, dating (way) back to my time as a PhD student in the early 90’s, and it is a great honor to take on this role for the coming 2 years. 

I would also like to welcome Theresa Alenghat, Antiopi Varelias, Mark Travis, Kathryn Knoop and Irah King as new members of the board, Rod Newberry as the new President-Elect and Claire Lloyd as the new SMI treasurer. I look forward to working together with the board and our various committees on continuing and expanding the wide variety of support programs that we offer to our SMI members. Please note the upcoming November 1st deadline for Technique-Sharing Grants. We are also very keen to expand SMI member involvement in our various activities and committees so if you would like to get involved please give us a shout! On the Board's immediate agenda is pushing ahead with our strategic plans whose three major goals, defined at our board meeting in Seattle, include enhancing relationships with our Journal Mucosal Immunology, inspiring more researchers working in the field to join SMI and helping to launch and maintain careers for our early career members. Regarding the former, it is exciting times and possibilities for Mucosal Immunology, with Ben Marsland at the helm, as it flips to OA with our new publishing partner Elsevier. Note new submissions should be made through the Elsevier system and SMI members receive a 20% ($760) discount on publishing costs!


Finally, we were able to meet at the ICMI in Seattle! I hope those of you that managed to make it to the meeting enjoyed it as much as I did, not only the great talks but also the chance finally to catch up in person with friends and colleagues! I would like again to shout a special thanks to the organizers Steven Ziegler, Jennifer Lund and Mark Travis for their willingness to stick with organizing the meeting despite the year delay and for such great hospitality. Looking forward, please book your calendars for the next ICMI, which will take place Summer 2024 in Copenhagen, Denmark, a beautiful time of year to visit the city. ICMI 2024 will be chaired by myself, Katharina Lahl (Lund University and the Technical University of Denmark) and Tim Willinger (Karolinska Institute). If you would like to get involved in the planning, please add your name to the list for consideration for the planning committee.


Kind Regards,

 

Bill Agace, PhD

SMI President

October 2022 Webinar Announcement Coming Soon!

The Society for Mucosal Immunology provides live webinars for member and non-member participation focused on the latest ideas and concepts of immunity at mucosal surfaces. Registration and access to the on-demand webinar recording library is free to all SMI members. Non-members are invited to join us for the live webinar at a nominal registration rate of $25/webinar. Watch your email and SMI's website for October's webinar announcement.


ICMI 2024

Just announced! The next International Congress of Mucosal Immunology will be held Summer 2024 in Copenhagen, Denmark. ICMI is the only meeting that focuses exclusively on the interface between the immune system and the environment at mucosal surfaces for our global community. It is the perfect occasion for cross-fertilization between scientists, clinical researchers and industry professionals working on pathways of immunity and inflammation at mucosal surfaces. More information coming soon!

SMI salutes, Irah King, PhD. Dr. King has been an SMI member since 2012 and was recently elected as an SMI Board Member in 2022. He currently serves as the Chair of the Scientific Advisory Committee for the McGill Interdisciplinary Initiative in Infection and Immunity, a Faculty-wide effort to raise funds dedicated to translational research for the prevention, cure and elimination of major infectious and immune threats. Read More


Know an SMI member deserving to be spotlighted? Let SMI know.

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Recent News

SMI Recognizes 2022 Award Recipients


The Society for Mucosal Immunologists recognized the 2022 award recipients during the opening session of the 20th International Congress of Mucosal Immunology in Seattle last July.


Young Investigator Awardees

  • Theresa Alenghat, DVM, PhD
  • Iliyan Iliev, PhD


Distinguished Service Award

Clare Lloyd, PhD was recognized this year for her many years of service to the Society on the Board of Councilors, committee work and role on the editorial board of Mucosal Immunology.


Per Brandtzaeg Distinguished Scientific Achievement Award

The Society recognized Andrew Macpherson, MD, PhD this year for his deep impact on the global mucosal immunology community.


New Award Announced

The SMI Board of Councilors established a new award this year to recognize commitment and dedication to the Mucosal Immunology journal that goes truly above and beyond which will be presented at the discretion of the Board of Councilors. The award is named after this year's inaugural recipient, Brian Kelsall, MD, who was presented the Brian Kelsall Medal at the Congress in recognition of his many years of service as the founding Editor-in-Chief of Mucosal Immunology from 2007 through early 2021.


ICMI 2022 Poster Award Winners

Congratulations to the ICMI2022 poster award winners, sponsored by MI

  • Blair Armistead
  • Jessica Graham
  • Erica Grant 
  • Heber Lara
  • Djalma de Souza Lima Jr.

Mucosal IgA Responses to SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccination

SMI member Jennifer Gommerman and colleagues examined the IgA kinetics following two doses of mRNA COVID19 vaccines. While IgA was induced and present in the oral cavity, this responses decreased at 6 months post-dose 2. Finally, individuals with breakthrough infections had lower levels of IgA suggesting the IgA response may protect from infection. Read more in this Brief Communication only at Mucosal Immunologyhttps://www.nature.com/articles/s41385-022-00511-0. DOI: 10.1038/s41385-022-00511-0


Airway epithelial immune responses to Covid or Flu

SMI member Clare Lloyd and colleagues found no differences in the airway epithelial response to SARS-CoV-2 infection between pediatric and adult cells. However, when comparing epithelial responses from SARS-CoV-2 to influenza A H1N1, they found SARS-CoV-2 had diminished potential to replicate, affect morphology and evoke immune responses in bronchial epithelial cells compared to H1N1. Read more in this Open Access article only at Mucosal Immunologyhttps://www.nature.com/articles/s41385-022-00545-4. DOI: 10.1038/s41385-022-00545-4

Interleukin-10 regulates goblet cell numbers through Notch signaling in the developing zebrafish intestine

SMI member Rodrigo A. Morales and colleagues investigate the impact of IL-10 on intestinal homeostasis by using the model organism zebrafish. During development of the intestine IL-10 regulates goblet cell numbers and pro-inflammatory genes through Notch activation in intestinal epithelial cells. These findings were recapitulated in murine organoids were IL-10 also controls goblet cell numbers. This data further supports the concept that cytokines play a role in tissue development beyond their action on leukocytes. Read More

Mucosal viral infection induces a regulatory T cell activation phenotype distinct from tissue residency in mouse and human tissues

SMI member Jennifer M. Lund and colleagues find that the regulatory T cells (Tregs) in the vaginal mucosa display increased activation potential compared to circulating Tregs in human and mice. Viral infections in the vaginal tract induce Tregs that express granzyme B. Read More

Mucosal Immunology Journal


The Society for Mucosal Immunology, the preeminent international community of researchers working together to advance the field of mucosal immunology and improve health worldwide, and Elsevier, a global leader in research publishing and information analytics, are delighted to announce a new partnership to publish SMI’s official journal, Mucosal Immunology. The journal will transition to gold open access, making articles immediately and permanently available for everyone to read, download, copy and distribute. It will be hosted on Elsevier’s leading online platform, ScienceDirect, beginning January 2023Read More

SMI Members receive:

  • Access to Mucosal Immunology Journal
  • Reduced page and color fees for papers submitted to Mucosal Immunology


Submit Your Research


Technique-Sharing Travel Grant


We are helping SMI researchers learn from their peers by supporting travel grants to learn techniques from other mucosal immunologists. Monday, November 7, 2022 is the next deadline. Learn More

Submit Your Application

Become an SMI Member


SMI membership is open to all immunologists, physicians, biochemists, dentists, veterinarians, and other scientists who conduct research in or who have an interest in mucosal immunology.


Membership Types

Regular - $120

Regular from Under-Represented Countries - $35

Early Career Investigator - $100

Student/Trainee - $45

Emeritus - $55


Join the Society or Renew Your Membership

SMI Volunteer Positions Available


SMI is interested in pursuing members who would like to help shape SMI's future. Most of our committees require a commitment of 1-2 hours each month for the year. If you are interested in applying to serve on one of the SMI committees, or renewing your current involvement position, please let SMI know.


Volunteer Sign-Up


Click the listings above to view the full job details and apply today!

 

Posting on the SMI career center is free for SMI members, and a low $75 (for 90 day posting) for non-members.

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