Ajith Vasanthakumar
@ajithvasanthan.bsky.social
Group leader, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne. Interested in T cells, metabolism, gene regulation and birds.
Reposted by Ajith Vasanthakumar
Temporal and context-dependent requirements for the transcription factor Foxp3 expression in regulatory T cells @natimmunol.nature.com @yuripritykin.bsky.social Rudensky @princetonupress.bsky.social @mskcancercenter.bsky.social www.nature.com/articles/s41...
October 8, 2025 at 5:17 PM
Temporal and context-dependent requirements for the transcription factor Foxp3 expression in regulatory T cells @natimmunol.nature.com @yuripritykin.bsky.social Rudensky @princetonupress.bsky.social @mskcancercenter.bsky.social www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Reposted by Ajith Vasanthakumar
Thrilled to make the cover of @natimmunol.nature.com this month.
A version of this warhol-inspired image has been in my head almost since we first conceived this Tfh diversity project (many, many years ago) @wehi-research.bsky.social
A version of this warhol-inspired image has been in my head almost since we first conceived this Tfh diversity project (many, many years ago) @wehi-research.bsky.social
September 30, 2025 at 9:08 PM
Thrilled to make the cover of @natimmunol.nature.com this month.
A version of this warhol-inspired image has been in my head almost since we first conceived this Tfh diversity project (many, many years ago) @wehi-research.bsky.social
A version of this warhol-inspired image has been in my head almost since we first conceived this Tfh diversity project (many, many years ago) @wehi-research.bsky.social
Reposted by Ajith Vasanthakumar
Tcf1 and Lef1 prime prethymic progenitors for Notch responsiveness, promoting early thymic progenitor fate and lineage stability @sciimmunology.bsky.social
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
Single-cell multiomics identifies Tcf1 and Lef1 as key initiators of early thymic progenitor fate
Tcf1 and Lef1 prime prethymic progenitors for Notch responsiveness, promoting early thymic progenitor fate and lineage stability.
www.science.org
September 12, 2025 at 9:54 PM
Tcf1 and Lef1 prime prethymic progenitors for Notch responsiveness, promoting early thymic progenitor fate and lineage stability @sciimmunology.bsky.social
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
Reposted by Ajith Vasanthakumar
I am excited to share our latest study by Sara Quon in collaboration with @ajithvasanthan.bsky.social entitled “The lncRNA Dreg1 is required for optimal ILC2 development” www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
The long non-coding RNA Dreg1 is required for optimal ILC2 development
Gata3 is an essential transcription factor for the development of several distinct immune cell lineages such as T cells, natural killer (NK) cells and innate lymphoid cells (ILC). As such, the levels ...
www.biorxiv.org
September 2, 2025 at 5:11 AM
I am excited to share our latest study by Sara Quon in collaboration with @ajithvasanthan.bsky.social entitled “The lncRNA Dreg1 is required for optimal ILC2 development” www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
Reposted by Ajith Vasanthakumar
NR4A2 & RGS16 promoters support delivery of cytokines (e.g. IL-12) directly to the tumor site, leading to enhanced antitumor efficacy and long-term survival of mice in both syngeneic and xenogeneic models @nature.com @paulbeavis4.bsky.social
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
July 2, 2025 at 8:01 PM
NR4A2 & RGS16 promoters support delivery of cytokines (e.g. IL-12) directly to the tumor site, leading to enhanced antitumor efficacy and long-term survival of mice in both syngeneic and xenogeneic models @nature.com @paulbeavis4.bsky.social
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Reposted by Ajith Vasanthakumar
Australia completely lacks a dedicated training program for clinician scientists. With the vision and support of VMIAL
@petermaccc.bsky.social is extremely proud to announce the first clinician-scientist fellowship. If you meet the eligibility criteria PLEASE APPLY!
www.nature.com/naturecareer...
@petermaccc.bsky.social is extremely proud to announce the first clinician-scientist fellowship. If you meet the eligibility criteria PLEASE APPLY!
www.nature.com/naturecareer...
Clinician Scientist Fellowship - Parkville, Melbourne (AU) job with Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre – Parkville | 12839522
Peter Mac is launching Australia’s first clinician-scientist fellowship to advance cancer care, fostering innovation and global collaboration.
www.nature.com
May 15, 2025 at 9:49 AM
Australia completely lacks a dedicated training program for clinician scientists. With the vision and support of VMIAL
@petermaccc.bsky.social is extremely proud to announce the first clinician-scientist fellowship. If you meet the eligibility criteria PLEASE APPLY!
www.nature.com/naturecareer...
@petermaccc.bsky.social is extremely proud to announce the first clinician-scientist fellowship. If you meet the eligibility criteria PLEASE APPLY!
www.nature.com/naturecareer...
Reposted by Ajith Vasanthakumar
I am so excited to share our new publication on Nature Metabolism about the metabolic reprogramming in gamma delta T cells in response to inflammation.
#gdt #immunometabolism
Thanks for my research team in groups of @timsparwasser.bsky.social in Germany and Princeton @lydialynch.bsky.social 🙌🏻
#gdt #immunometabolism
Thanks for my research team in groups of @timsparwasser.bsky.social in Germany and Princeton @lydialynch.bsky.social 🙌🏻
May 14, 2025 at 12:23 AM
I am so excited to share our new publication on Nature Metabolism about the metabolic reprogramming in gamma delta T cells in response to inflammation.
#gdt #immunometabolism
Thanks for my research team in groups of @timsparwasser.bsky.social in Germany and Princeton @lydialynch.bsky.social 🙌🏻
#gdt #immunometabolism
Thanks for my research team in groups of @timsparwasser.bsky.social in Germany and Princeton @lydialynch.bsky.social 🙌🏻
CCR8+ decidual regulatory T cells maintain maternal-fetal immune tolerance during early pregnancy | Science Immunology www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
CCR8+ decidual regulatory T cells maintain maternal-fetal immune tolerance during early pregnancy
Decidual CCR8+ dTreg cells, with a highly activated and immunosuppressive phenotype, are crucial for maternal-fetal immune tolerance.
www.science.org
April 26, 2025 at 2:53 AM
CCR8+ decidual regulatory T cells maintain maternal-fetal immune tolerance during early pregnancy | Science Immunology www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
Reposted by Ajith Vasanthakumar
Our paper is out!
LCK–co-receptor association ensures T cell lineage fidelity and maximizes epitope-specific TCR diversity | Science Immunology www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
LCK–co-receptor association ensures T cell lineage fidelity and maximizes epitope-specific TCR diversity | Science Immunology www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
LCK–co-receptor association ensures T cell lineage fidelity and maximizes epitope-specific TCR diversity
LCK-mutant mice help define the role of LCK–co-receptor association in T cell development and immune responses.
www.science.org
February 21, 2025 at 10:32 PM
Our paper is out!
LCK–co-receptor association ensures T cell lineage fidelity and maximizes epitope-specific TCR diversity | Science Immunology www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
LCK–co-receptor association ensures T cell lineage fidelity and maximizes epitope-specific TCR diversity | Science Immunology www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
Reposted by Ajith Vasanthakumar
Someone awesome in my circle shared some terrific news with me today but was hesitant to do so because of all that is going on in the science world.
It may appear insensitive that you are celebrating when other colleagues are struggling but I entreat you to celebrate & share good news. 1/
It may appear insensitive that you are celebrating when other colleagues are struggling but I entreat you to celebrate & share good news. 1/
February 15, 2025 at 2:03 AM
Someone awesome in my circle shared some terrific news with me today but was hesitant to do so because of all that is going on in the science world.
It may appear insensitive that you are celebrating when other colleagues are struggling but I entreat you to celebrate & share good news. 1/
It may appear insensitive that you are celebrating when other colleagues are struggling but I entreat you to celebrate & share good news. 1/
Reposted by Ajith Vasanthakumar
If any American immunologists want to write an op-ed for @immunolcellbiol.bsky.social on the impact of the new executive orders, please contact me
February 3, 2025 at 10:05 AM
If any American immunologists want to write an op-ed for @immunolcellbiol.bsky.social on the impact of the new executive orders, please contact me
Reposted by Ajith Vasanthakumar
Reposted by Ajith Vasanthakumar
Very excited about this collaborative study between @petermaccc.bsky.social @danielutzschneider.bsky.social and Kallies lab
Excited for our lab's FIRST paper #ScienceImmunology! 🎉
Led by @categraca.bsky.social & Amania Sheikh, with amazing collabs from Axel Kallies, Dane Newman, & @rickyjohnstone.bsky.social
Huge thanks to reviewers & @claireolingy.bsky.social 🙌
#Tpex #onthescoreboard
www.science.org/doi/full/10....
Led by @categraca.bsky.social & Amania Sheikh, with amazing collabs from Axel Kallies, Dane Newman, & @rickyjohnstone.bsky.social
Huge thanks to reviewers & @claireolingy.bsky.social 🙌
#Tpex #onthescoreboard
www.science.org/doi/full/10....
Stem-like memory and precursors of exhausted T cells share a common progenitor defined by ID3 expression
ID3 defines stem-like T cells with high developmental potential that sustain T cell responses to chronic infection and cancer.
www.science.org
January 31, 2025 at 11:46 PM
Very excited about this collaborative study between @petermaccc.bsky.social @danielutzschneider.bsky.social and Kallies lab
Cool new study from the lab of my friend and collaborator @danielutzschneider.bsky.social in #ScienceImmunology showing that a common ID3+ precursor gives rise to stem-like memory and Tpex cells. Congrats to everyone involved!! @rickyjohnstone.bsky.social @petermaccc.bsky.social @onjcri.org.au
Excited for our lab's FIRST paper #ScienceImmunology! 🎉
Led by @categraca.bsky.social & Amania Sheikh, with amazing collabs from Axel Kallies, Dane Newman, & @rickyjohnstone.bsky.social
Huge thanks to reviewers & @claireolingy.bsky.social 🙌
#Tpex #onthescoreboard
www.science.org/doi/full/10....
Led by @categraca.bsky.social & Amania Sheikh, with amazing collabs from Axel Kallies, Dane Newman, & @rickyjohnstone.bsky.social
Huge thanks to reviewers & @claireolingy.bsky.social 🙌
#Tpex #onthescoreboard
www.science.org/doi/full/10....
Stem-like memory and precursors of exhausted T cells share a common progenitor defined by ID3 expression
ID3 defines stem-like T cells with high developmental potential that sustain T cell responses to chronic infection and cancer.
www.science.org
January 31, 2025 at 10:16 PM
Cool new study from the lab of my friend and collaborator @danielutzschneider.bsky.social in #ScienceImmunology showing that a common ID3+ precursor gives rise to stem-like memory and Tpex cells. Congrats to everyone involved!! @rickyjohnstone.bsky.social @petermaccc.bsky.social @onjcri.org.au
Reposted by Ajith Vasanthakumar
@ozsinglecell.bsky.social #OzSingleCell25 has a new website www.ozsinglecell.com See the current list of invited speakers and stay tuned for registration details. Sponsors reach out to ozsinglecells@gmail.com
January 30, 2025 at 6:31 AM
@ozsinglecell.bsky.social #OzSingleCell25 has a new website www.ozsinglecell.com See the current list of invited speakers and stay tuned for registration details. Sponsors reach out to ozsinglecells@gmail.com
Exciting new study from the Mathis group showing the features and functions of meningeal Tregs now in Science Immunology!!@https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciimmunol.adu2910n
The meninges host a distinct compartment of regulatory T cells that preserves brain homeostasis
Meningeal regulatory T cells restrain local interferon-γ–producing lymphocytes, thereby safeguarding parenchymal brain homeostasis.
www.science.org
January 29, 2025 at 8:35 AM
Exciting new study from the Mathis group showing the features and functions of meningeal Tregs now in Science Immunology!!@https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciimmunol.adu2910n
Reposted by Ajith Vasanthakumar
Tour de force! @metorrespadilla.bsky.social & team develop Smart-seq+5′ to map TSS in single embryos with unprecedented res revealing plethora of TE-driven transcripts in 5 mammal species. Some surprisingly old & conserved. Treasure trove of new biology for yrs to come!
www.cell.com/cell/fulltex...
www.cell.com/cell/fulltex...
An atlas of transcription initiation reveals regulatory principles of gene and transposable element expression in early mammalian development
Mapping transcription start sites across five mammalian species before, during, and
after embryonic genome activation unveils widespread transposable element-driven transcription
and co-option of evol...
www.cell.com
January 20, 2025 at 7:41 PM
Tour de force! @metorrespadilla.bsky.social & team develop Smart-seq+5′ to map TSS in single embryos with unprecedented res revealing plethora of TE-driven transcripts in 5 mammal species. Some surprisingly old & conserved. Treasure trove of new biology for yrs to come!
www.cell.com/cell/fulltex...
www.cell.com/cell/fulltex...
Reposted by Ajith Vasanthakumar
Interested in how T cells are regulated in a tissue-specific manner? Karthik Varanasi’s exciting work shows Bile Acid synthesis impedes tumor-specific T cell responses during liver cancer @science.org Huge THANKS to all the amazing collaborators + @salkinstitute, SBP
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
Bile acid synthesis impedes tumor-specific T cell responses during liver cancer
The metabolic landscape of cancer greatly influences antitumor immunity, yet it remains unclear how organ-specific metabolites in the tumor microenvironment influence immunosurveillance. We found that...
www.science.org
January 11, 2025 at 10:12 PM
Interested in how T cells are regulated in a tissue-specific manner? Karthik Varanasi’s exciting work shows Bile Acid synthesis impedes tumor-specific T cell responses during liver cancer @science.org Huge THANKS to all the amazing collaborators + @salkinstitute, SBP
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
Reposted by Ajith Vasanthakumar
Here is link to Shixin's new paper: www.science.org/doi/epdf/10....
Nutrient-driven histone code determines exhausted CD8+ T cell fates
ACLY-deficient CAR T cells targeting the tumor-associated antigen disialoganglioside GD2 (GD2 CAR T cells) also resisted acquiring TEX-like properties, exhibiting reduced CD39 expression when co-cultu...
www.science.org
December 14, 2024 at 3:53 PM
Here is link to Shixin's new paper: www.science.org/doi/epdf/10....
Reposted by Ajith Vasanthakumar
The fate of T cells, such as seen in exhausted T cells, is tied to nutrients. This introduces the potential of therapies directed at keeping T cell identity and function intact. (And the infamous Krebs cycle makes a comeback to my brain)
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
Nutrient-driven histone code determines exhausted CD8+ T cell fates
ACLY-deficient CAR T cells targeting the tumor-associated antigen disialoganglioside GD2 (GD2 CAR T cells) also resisted acquiring TEX-like properties, exhibiting reduced CD39 expression when co-cultu...
www.science.org
December 12, 2024 at 10:36 PM
The fate of T cells, such as seen in exhausted T cells, is tied to nutrients. This introduces the potential of therapies directed at keeping T cell identity and function intact. (And the infamous Krebs cycle makes a comeback to my brain)
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
Reposted by Ajith Vasanthakumar
Jobortunities: Shortly advertising for 2 positions, both working on the Breast Cancer Atlas, in Sydney.
- Wet lab research assistant: mol bio +/- pathology desirable
- Comp. Research Assistant: scRNA-Seq, spatial transcriptomics and ML
Details to follow, DM or email if you are a great fit.
- Wet lab research assistant: mol bio +/- pathology desirable
- Comp. Research Assistant: scRNA-Seq, spatial transcriptomics and ML
Details to follow, DM or email if you are a great fit.
December 12, 2024 at 3:13 AM
Jobortunities: Shortly advertising for 2 positions, both working on the Breast Cancer Atlas, in Sydney.
- Wet lab research assistant: mol bio +/- pathology desirable
- Comp. Research Assistant: scRNA-Seq, spatial transcriptomics and ML
Details to follow, DM or email if you are a great fit.
- Wet lab research assistant: mol bio +/- pathology desirable
- Comp. Research Assistant: scRNA-Seq, spatial transcriptomics and ML
Details to follow, DM or email if you are a great fit.
Reposted by Ajith Vasanthakumar
Gene regulation involves thousands of proteins that bind DNA, yet comprehensively mapping these is challenging. Our paper in Nature Genetics describes ChIP-DIP, a method for genome-wide mapping of hundreds of DNA-protein interactions in a single experiment.
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
ChIP-DIP maps binding of hundreds of proteins to DNA simultaneously and identifies diverse gene regulatory elements - Nature Genetics
ChIP-DIP (ChIP done in parallel) is a highly multiplex assay for protein–DNA binding, scalable to hundreds of proteins including modified histones, chromatin regulators and transcription factors, offe...
www.nature.com
November 27, 2024 at 4:13 AM
Gene regulation involves thousands of proteins that bind DNA, yet comprehensively mapping these is challenging. Our paper in Nature Genetics describes ChIP-DIP, a method for genome-wide mapping of hundreds of DNA-protein interactions in a single experiment.
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Reposted by Ajith Vasanthakumar
Remodeling of Il4-Il13-Il5 locus underlies selective gene expression www.nature.com/articles/s41...
November 20, 2024 at 11:33 PM
Remodeling of Il4-Il13-Il5 locus underlies selective gene expression www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Reposted by Ajith Vasanthakumar
We have a new position for a bioinformatician / computational biologist exploring genomic and epigenomic features of #cfDNA to uncover new cancer biology.
careers.petermac.org/job/MELBOURN...
careers.petermac.org/job/MELBOURN...
Bioinformatics Post Doctoral Researcher - SJ Dawson
Bioinformatics Post Doctoral Researcher - SJ Dawson
careers.petermac.org
November 21, 2024 at 6:45 AM
We have a new position for a bioinformatician / computational biologist exploring genomic and epigenomic features of #cfDNA to uncover new cancer biology.
careers.petermac.org/job/MELBOURN...
careers.petermac.org/job/MELBOURN...
Reposted by Ajith Vasanthakumar
Peter Mac is excited to join BlueSky! 🦋 We look forward to sharing ideas, fostering positivity, and connecting with you all as we work together to advance cancer care and research. Let’s inspire, collaborate, and make a difference!
November 21, 2024 at 12:23 AM
Peter Mac is excited to join BlueSky! 🦋 We look forward to sharing ideas, fostering positivity, and connecting with you all as we work together to advance cancer care and research. Let’s inspire, collaborate, and make a difference!