Gladstone-UCSF Institute of Genomic Immunology

Abstract representation of cellular structures in vibrant blue and pink, illustrating concepts in genomic immunology.

The Gladstone-UCSF Institute of Genomic Immunology blends the latest genomics and genome-engineering technologies with immunology research to engineer the human immune system for therapeutic benefit.

The Carnevale Lab is focused on reprogramming immune cells to use as cancer therapies.
The Carnevale Lab is focused on reprogramming immune cells to use as cancer therapies.
The research goal of Alex Marson’s lab is to understand the genetic circuits that control the function of cells in the human immune system, especially T cells. 
The research goal of Alex Marson’s lab is to understand the genetic circuits that control the function of cells in the human immune system, especially T cells. 
A team led by Jennifer Doudna, recently developed an innovative chromatin-shredding technique shown to destroy cancer cells carrying a prevalent mutation while keeping healthy cells intact.
A team led by Jennifer Doudna, recently developed an innovative chromatin-shredding technique shown to destroy cancer cells carrying a prevalent mutation while keeping healthy cells intact.

Understanding the rules governing the human immune system—in health and disease contexts—is crucial to developing powerful new treatments for patients. Cutting-edge genomics and gene-editing technologies now give us the power to achieve such an understanding.

By learning how DNA sequences in the genome code for critical functions of human immune cells and how these functions can fail, we will generate a blueprint that will allow us to reprogram our own immune cells to act as sentinels and warriors in the fight against autoimmune disorders, infection, immunodeficiency, and cancer.

The institute was founded in 2020 to unite an existing UC San Francisco and Gladstone community of experts in immunology, synthetic biology, human genetics, and CRISPR genome engineering with clinical experts in manufacturing and trial design for novel immunotherapies, among others.

Importantly, the institute will act as a beacon to attract new talent, enabling the team to build complementary areas of expertise in an expanding range of immune cell types, computational approaches, innovative synthetic biology technologies, and human diseases.

Current Research Projects

Genome Engineering Primary Human T Cells

Genome Engineering Primary Human T Cells

Our researchers have developed a suite of robust CRISPR/Cas9-based technologies that enable genome editing and manipulation in primary human T cells. This enables the investigation of the genetic code that controls the function of these key immune cells and how genetic changes lead to pathological or improved immune cell responses.

Genetic and Epigenetic Mapping of Causal Autoimmune Disease Variants

Genetic and Epigenetic Mapping of Causal Autoimmune Disease Variants

Although many genome variants have been linked to increased risk of autoimmune disease, the mechanisms by which they cause immune dysfunction are generally unknown. Researchers are mapping the genome, epigenome, and transcriptome of individual immune cells to identify the functions of these genome variants.

Design and Engineering of the Next Generation of Immunotherapies

Design and Engineering of the Next Generation of Immunotherapies

Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) T cells are in clinical use to treat a variety of cancers and other diseases. Taking advantage of recent advances in genome engineering and synthetic biology, researchers are designing and manipulating immune receptors to improve upon traditional CAR T cell designs and broaden the application of these cells and other immunotherapies to a growing range of pathologies.

Our Investigators

Julia Carnevale, MD

Julia Carnevale, MD

Affiliate Investigator

Jennifer Doudna, PhD

Jennifer Doudna, PhD

Senior Investigator, Gladstone Institutes

Justin Eyquem, PhD

Justin Eyquem, PhD

Affiliate Investigator, Gladstone Institutes

Omar Khan, MD, PhD

Omar Khan, MD, PhD

Affiliate Genomic Immunology Fellow, Gladstone Institutes

Alex Marson, MD, PhD

Alex Marson, MD, PhD

Connie and Bob Lurie Director, Gladstone-UCSF Institute of Genomic Immunology

Karin Pelka, PhD

Karin Pelka, PhD

Assistant Investigator, Gladstone Institutes

Kole Roybal, PhD

Kole Roybal, PhD

Affiliate Investigator

Brian Shy, MD, PhD

Brian Shy, MD, PhD

Visiting Investigator, Gladstone Institutes

Matthew Spitzer, PhD

Matthew Spitzer, PhD

Affiliate Investigator

Qizhi Tang, PhD

Qizhi Tang, PhD

Affiliate Investigator, Gladstone Institutes

Chief Scientific Strategist

Stacie Dodgson, PhD (opens in a new tab)

Related Centers

The Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy at Gladstone Institutes

The Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy at Gladstone Institutes

Researchers are using the latest genomic technologies to learn how to control human immune cells precisely and design next-generation immunotherapy approaches for clinical testing.
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Training Tomorrow’s Researchers

Training Tomorrow’s Researchers

Our training program has been recognized as one of the best in the field. Explore how we’re building the future of genomic immunology research, one scientist at a time.

Explore our Award-Winning Training Program

FROM THE DIRECTOR

We want to create an ecosystem that brings experts together to think about transformative opportunities for how patients can be treated in the future.

Photo of Alexander Marson, MD, PhD

Alexander Marson, MD, PhD

Director, Gladstone-UCSF Institute of Genomic Immunology

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Our people are our most important asset. We offer a wide array of career opportunities both in our administrative offices and in our labs.

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