Rachel Rutishauser
@rrutishauser.bsky.social
Physician-scientist, immunologist. Associate Professor, UCSF Division of Experimental Medicine. Investigator, DARE HIV cure collaboratory. CD8 T cells, HIV, immune development. Posts mine. https://experimentalmedicine.ucsf.edu/laboratories/rutishauser-lab
Pinned
Excited to share this preprint: In trial led by @michaelpelusomd.bsky.social and Steve Deeks, combination immunotherapy=>high rate of HIV control (low VL) after ART pause. @demisandel.bsky.social in our lab found control associated with robust CD8+ T cell proliferation early in response to rebound.
Reposted by Rachel Rutishauser
In our latest study in @cp-immunity.bsky.social, we followed dynamics of vaccine-specific Tfh cells for 60+ weeks after immunization.
authors.elsevier.com/a/1m3mV3qNrU...
We captured >500,000 CD4 T cells including >36,000 vaccine-specific Tfh by scRNAseq, giving an unprecedented longitudinal detail.
authors.elsevier.com/a/1m3mV3qNrU...
We captured >500,000 CD4 T cells including >36,000 vaccine-specific Tfh by scRNAseq, giving an unprecedented longitudinal detail.
November 12, 2025 at 7:45 PM
In our latest study in @cp-immunity.bsky.social, we followed dynamics of vaccine-specific Tfh cells for 60+ weeks after immunization.
authors.elsevier.com/a/1m3mV3qNrU...
We captured >500,000 CD4 T cells including >36,000 vaccine-specific Tfh by scRNAseq, giving an unprecedented longitudinal detail.
authors.elsevier.com/a/1m3mV3qNrU...
We captured >500,000 CD4 T cells including >36,000 vaccine-specific Tfh by scRNAseq, giving an unprecedented longitudinal detail.
Reposted by Rachel Rutishauser
This is…outstanding. If I may, I urge us to read it carefully, and appreciate the details, the shape, the picture it paints.
A Sharon Begley byline, almost 5 years after her death.
Upon hearing the news James Watson had died, a STAT reporter said in our Slack, "I wish I could read what Sharon would have written."
Incredible news: Sharon in fact did pre-write a Watson obit. And it is masterful and excoriating.
🧪🧬🧫
Upon hearing the news James Watson had died, a STAT reporter said in our Slack, "I wish I could read what Sharon would have written."
Incredible news: Sharon in fact did pre-write a Watson obit. And it is masterful and excoriating.
🧪🧬🧫
James Watson, dead at 97, was a scientific legend and a pariah among his peers
James Watson, the co-discoverer of the structure of DNA who died Thursday at 97, was a scientific legend and a pariah among his peers.
www.statnews.com
November 9, 2025 at 2:46 AM
This is…outstanding. If I may, I urge us to read it carefully, and appreciate the details, the shape, the picture it paints.
Reposted by Rachel Rutishauser
Exciting collaboration combining multiplex epigenetic reprogramming and site-specific payload integration!
Integrated epigenetic and genetic programming of primary human T cells - @gladstoneinst.bsky.social @ucsanfrancisco.bsky.social @j-eyquem.bsky.social @marsonlab.bsky.social go.nature.com/3WOJJAJ
Integrated epigenetic and genetic programming of primary human T cells - Nature Biotechnology
Multiplexed editing in primary human T cells generates enhanced immune cell therapies.
go.nature.com
October 21, 2025 at 5:59 PM
Exciting collaboration combining multiplex epigenetic reprogramming and site-specific payload integration!
Reposted by Rachel Rutishauser
@joann-trejo.bsky.social, @marymunson4.bsky.social and I have a commentary in @natcellbio.nature.com on recent attacks on DEI in biomedical research: "If scientific research, especially biomedical research, is meant to serve everyone, then it requires that everyone has an opportunity to participate"
Scaling back DEI programmes and the loss of scientific talent
Nature Cell Biology - Programmes that support diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) in science are under attack in the USA. Data indicate that diversity in the scientific workforce increases...
www.nature.com
October 23, 2025 at 4:36 PM
@joann-trejo.bsky.social, @marymunson4.bsky.social and I have a commentary in @natcellbio.nature.com on recent attacks on DEI in biomedical research: "If scientific research, especially biomedical research, is meant to serve everyone, then it requires that everyone has an opportunity to participate"
Reposted by Rachel Rutishauser
We’re thrilled to announce a new round of grants to HIV researchers worth a total of $2.4M: www.amfar.org/press-releas...
October 16, 2025 at 2:32 PM
We’re thrilled to announce a new round of grants to HIV researchers worth a total of $2.4M: www.amfar.org/press-releas...
Reposted by Rachel Rutishauser
Reading Rainbow emphasis is encouraging kids to read. The focus is not on teaching them to read. The mission is reading should be fun!
We are all readers, worthy of literacy. LeVar Burton said “but you don’t have to take my word for it” because he wanted us to look to the books. That’s the beauty 💚
We are all readers, worthy of literacy. LeVar Burton said “but you don’t have to take my word for it” because he wanted us to look to the books. That’s the beauty 💚
Reading Rainbow Is Back With a New Host -- @mychal3ts.bsky.social -- And The Same Mission
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/04/s...
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/04/s...
‘Reading Rainbow’ Comes Back With a New Host, but the Same Mission
www.nytimes.com
October 4, 2025 at 7:47 PM
Reading Rainbow emphasis is encouraging kids to read. The focus is not on teaching them to read. The mission is reading should be fun!
We are all readers, worthy of literacy. LeVar Burton said “but you don’t have to take my word for it” because he wanted us to look to the books. That’s the beauty 💚
We are all readers, worthy of literacy. LeVar Burton said “but you don’t have to take my word for it” because he wanted us to look to the books. That’s the beauty 💚
Reposted by Rachel Rutishauser
There are unprecedented challenges for science, calling for bold action and collective effort. Training the next generation of scientific leaders has never been more important. Join us as we grow National PROPEL to answer this call. Learn more: propelscholars.org @propelscholars.bsky.social 🧪🧬🖥️🧵
October 9, 2025 at 5:20 AM
There are unprecedented challenges for science, calling for bold action and collective effort. Training the next generation of scientific leaders has never been more important. Join us as we grow National PROPEL to answer this call. Learn more: propelscholars.org @propelscholars.bsky.social 🧪🧬🖥️🧵
Reposted by Rachel Rutishauser
Dear #microbiology and #immunology community- I took a break from social media after I deleted my Twitter account, but am back here. Please help me rebuild my community by following me and amplifying this message- I will follow you back. Thank you and I look forward to our many interactions!
October 5, 2025 at 4:10 PM
Dear #microbiology and #immunology community- I took a break from social media after I deleted my Twitter account, but am back here. Please help me rebuild my community by following me and amplifying this message- I will follow you back. Thank you and I look forward to our many interactions!
Reposted by Rachel Rutishauser
Happy to announce the publication using advanced models to understand how T cells mediate efficient immunoediting in early sarcomas.
This was a collaboration between Julie Cheung and Brian Hunt
in the lab
Thanks to Cancer Cell for publishing our work.
www.cell.com/cancer-cell/...
This was a collaboration between Julie Cheung and Brian Hunt
in the lab
Thanks to Cancer Cell for publishing our work.
www.cell.com/cancer-cell/...
Distinct T cell functions enable efficient immunoediting and prevent tumor emergence of developing sarcomas
Cheung et al. describe efficient T cell control of nascent neoantigen+ and nearby
neoantigen-negative sarcoma cells, underlying a ∼50% reduction in tumor penetrance.
This otherwise imperceptible immun...
www.cell.com
October 2, 2025 at 4:50 PM
Happy to announce the publication using advanced models to understand how T cells mediate efficient immunoediting in early sarcomas.
This was a collaboration between Julie Cheung and Brian Hunt
in the lab
Thanks to Cancer Cell for publishing our work.
www.cell.com/cancer-cell/...
This was a collaboration between Julie Cheung and Brian Hunt
in the lab
Thanks to Cancer Cell for publishing our work.
www.cell.com/cancer-cell/...
Reposted by Rachel Rutishauser
Great job @sarasuliman.bsky.social on discussing the evolution of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in human populations over time
#TBSky #IDSky #MedSky 🧪 #genetics
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
#TBSky #IDSky #MedSky 🧪 #genetics
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
The evolution of Mycobacterium tuberculosis as humans migrated out of Africa - Nature Reviews Genetics
Sara Suliman describes a seminal 2013 publication by Comas et al. that investigated the origins of the tuberculosis-causing bacteria and its coevolution with diverse human populations.
www.nature.com
October 2, 2025 at 8:12 PM
Great job @sarasuliman.bsky.social on discussing the evolution of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in human populations over time
#TBSky #IDSky #MedSky 🧪 #genetics
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
#TBSky #IDSky #MedSky 🧪 #genetics
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Reposted by Rachel Rutishauser
I often emphasize that there are rarely "silver bullets" that magically solve problems but vaccines are one of the closest things we have and it's mind-boggling and enraging to watch this "debate" unfold during my lifetime
The polio immunisation program started in the USA in 1955.
Look what happened next.
Look what happened next.
September 25, 2025 at 4:41 PM
I often emphasize that there are rarely "silver bullets" that magically solve problems but vaccines are one of the closest things we have and it's mind-boggling and enraging to watch this "debate" unfold during my lifetime
Reposted by Rachel Rutishauser
Here's the upshot on hepatitis B vaccination at birth:
- it's extremely safe
- the earlier it's given, the better it protects against transmission from mother-to-child
- screening fails to capture many cases and is not done at all in many cases
- perinatal HBV infection is catastrophic
- it's extremely safe
- the earlier it's given, the better it protects against transmission from mother-to-child
- screening fails to capture many cases and is not done at all in many cases
- perinatal HBV infection is catastrophic
September 18, 2025 at 6:40 PM
Here's the upshot on hepatitis B vaccination at birth:
- it's extremely safe
- the earlier it's given, the better it protects against transmission from mother-to-child
- screening fails to capture many cases and is not done at all in many cases
- perinatal HBV infection is catastrophic
- it's extremely safe
- the earlier it's given, the better it protects against transmission from mother-to-child
- screening fails to capture many cases and is not done at all in many cases
- perinatal HBV infection is catastrophic
Reposted by Rachel Rutishauser
Come join us! We start at 11AM on Tuesday September 16th and end at 11AM on Wednesday September 17th. We have researchers from around the world talking about how their work has revolutionized health and saved millions of lives from HIV/AIDS. end/
September 6, 2025 at 9:52 AM
Come join us! We start at 11AM on Tuesday September 16th and end at 11AM on Wednesday September 17th. We have researchers from around the world talking about how their work has revolutionized health and saved millions of lives from HIV/AIDS. end/
Reposted by Rachel Rutishauser
While many institutions are capitulating to Trump, my favorite scientific societies are fighting back. Aug 1 @ascbiology.bsky.social, @asm.org, @asbmb.bsky.social, & @faseborg.bsky.social jointly filed an expanded amicus brief with the Supreme Court in American Public Health Association v. NIH 1/n
August 4, 2025 at 8:57 PM
While many institutions are capitulating to Trump, my favorite scientific societies are fighting back. Aug 1 @ascbiology.bsky.social, @asm.org, @asbmb.bsky.social, & @faseborg.bsky.social jointly filed an expanded amicus brief with the Supreme Court in American Public Health Association v. NIH 1/n
Reposted by Rachel Rutishauser
The NIH budget will INCREASE by $400 million — not slashed by 40%, as Trump proposed — according to a proposal by Senate appropriators, says Sen Murray.
"Some have asked if there will even be an NIH by [2029]. The commmittee's resounding message is yes—Congress has your back", she says.
"Some have asked if there will even be an NIH by [2029]. The commmittee's resounding message is yes—Congress has your back", she says.
July 31, 2025 at 1:53 PM
The NIH budget will INCREASE by $400 million — not slashed by 40%, as Trump proposed — according to a proposal by Senate appropriators, says Sen Murray.
"Some have asked if there will even be an NIH by [2029]. The commmittee's resounding message is yes—Congress has your back", she says.
"Some have asked if there will even be an NIH by [2029]. The commmittee's resounding message is yes—Congress has your back", she says.
Reposted by Rachel Rutishauser
If you can swing the dues, I recommend joining APHA and then fill out the form. This is the path I took for the first round of this suit
July 31, 2025 at 12:18 AM
If you can swing the dues, I recommend joining APHA and then fill out the form. This is the path I took for the first round of this suit
Reposted by Rachel Rutishauser
“The court has asked for a final list of delayed or withdrawn applications to be submitted as early as August 4th, and we are hoping to provide as complete a list of impacted grant applications as possible.
2/n
2/n
Microsoft Forms
www.aclu.org
July 30, 2025 at 11:23 PM
“The court has asked for a final list of delayed or withdrawn applications to be submitted as early as August 4th, and we are hoping to provide as complete a list of impacted grant applications as possible.
2/n
2/n
Reposted by Rachel Rutishauser
Court accepting updated list of plaintiffs/grantees impacted! MUST BE SUBMITTED BY AUGUST 1st 5pm EST! Please disseminate!!!
Message from ACLU team below:
1/n
Message from ACLU team below:
1/n
Microsoft Forms
www.aclu.org
July 30, 2025 at 11:23 PM
Court accepting updated list of plaintiffs/grantees impacted! MUST BE SUBMITTED BY AUGUST 1st 5pm EST! Please disseminate!!!
Message from ACLU team below:
1/n
Message from ACLU team below:
1/n
Reposted by Rachel Rutishauser
Years-long HIV-1 immunity can be generated in rhesus macaques from a one-time AAV vector (encoding HIV specific broadly neutralizing antibodies) administration at birth @nature.com @mamartins83.bsky.social www.nature.com/articles/s41...
July 30, 2025 at 6:29 PM
Years-long HIV-1 immunity can be generated in rhesus macaques from a one-time AAV vector (encoding HIV specific broadly neutralizing antibodies) administration at birth @nature.com @mamartins83.bsky.social www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Reposted by Rachel Rutishauser
Our study also showed that, compared to adult and juvenile macaques, neonates were more likely to benefit from AAV-vectored delivery of HIV-1 bNAbs because of their tolerance-prone immune systems.
July 30, 2025 at 3:33 PM
Our study also showed that, compared to adult and juvenile macaques, neonates were more likely to benefit from AAV-vectored delivery of HIV-1 bNAbs because of their tolerance-prone immune systems.
Reposted by Rachel Rutishauser
I’m happy to share the latest paper from my lab published in Nature today.
nature.com/articles/s41...
We show in rhesus macaques that a single dose of AAV/bNAb vectors at birth was safe and resulted in bNAb levels in plasma that lasted for up to 4 years without redosing.
nature.com/articles/s41...
We show in rhesus macaques that a single dose of AAV/bNAb vectors at birth was safe and resulted in bNAb levels in plasma that lasted for up to 4 years without redosing.
Determinants of successful AAV-vectored delivery of HIV-1 bNAbs in early life - Nature
A single dose of an adeno-associated virus vector encoding an HIV-1 broadly neutralizing antibody given shortly after birth results in persistent antibody expression and protection from infection in r...
nature.com
July 30, 2025 at 3:32 PM
I’m happy to share the latest paper from my lab published in Nature today.
nature.com/articles/s41...
We show in rhesus macaques that a single dose of AAV/bNAb vectors at birth was safe and resulted in bNAb levels in plasma that lasted for up to 4 years without redosing.
nature.com/articles/s41...
We show in rhesus macaques that a single dose of AAV/bNAb vectors at birth was safe and resulted in bNAb levels in plasma that lasted for up to 4 years without redosing.
Congratulations, Mauricio!!!
I’m happy to share the latest paper from my lab published in Nature today.
nature.com/articles/s41...
We show in rhesus macaques that a single dose of AAV/bNAb vectors at birth was safe and resulted in bNAb levels in plasma that lasted for up to 4 years without redosing.
nature.com/articles/s41...
We show in rhesus macaques that a single dose of AAV/bNAb vectors at birth was safe and resulted in bNAb levels in plasma that lasted for up to 4 years without redosing.
Determinants of successful AAV-vectored delivery of HIV-1 bNAbs in early life - Nature
A single dose of an adeno-associated virus vector encoding an HIV-1 broadly neutralizing antibody given shortly after birth results in persistent antibody expression and protection from infection in r...
nature.com
July 30, 2025 at 7:25 PM
Congratulations, Mauricio!!!
Reposted by Rachel Rutishauser
By entirely funding more awards up front, the NIH is on track to fund just 1 in 25 applications
Such a payline “would chase a lot of people out of science” former NCI director Ned Sharpless told us 🧪🔬
www.statnews.com/2025/07/29/n...
Such a payline “would chase a lot of people out of science” former NCI director Ned Sharpless told us 🧪🔬
www.statnews.com/2025/07/29/n...
NIH is shrinking the number of research projects it funds due to a new Trump policy
NIH plans to shrink the share of grant applications it will award for the remainder of the fiscal year, in some cases by more than half.
www.statnews.com
July 29, 2025 at 1:18 PM
By entirely funding more awards up front, the NIH is on track to fund just 1 in 25 applications
Such a payline “would chase a lot of people out of science” former NCI director Ned Sharpless told us 🧪🔬
www.statnews.com/2025/07/29/n...
Such a payline “would chase a lot of people out of science” former NCI director Ned Sharpless told us 🧪🔬
www.statnews.com/2025/07/29/n...
Reposted by Rachel Rutishauser
New, from an anonymous NIH insider: Trump is being pushed to spend more NIH money. The White House is ordering NIH to do multi-year budgets for awards. This budget trick means fewer awards, fewer labs funded, and lower paylines for researchers. 🧵
donmoynihan.substack.com/p/alert-the-...
donmoynihan.substack.com/p/alert-the-...
Alert: The Trump administration is quietly slashing new NIH grant awards, and it's not via the budget
NIH’s sudden move to multiyear grant funding is forcing shocking cuts in the number of grants funded. This is an effective budget cut. It's bad, folks.
donmoynihan.substack.com
July 28, 2025 at 2:21 PM
New, from an anonymous NIH insider: Trump is being pushed to spend more NIH money. The White House is ordering NIH to do multi-year budgets for awards. This budget trick means fewer awards, fewer labs funded, and lower paylines for researchers. 🧵
donmoynihan.substack.com/p/alert-the-...
donmoynihan.substack.com/p/alert-the-...
Reposted by Rachel Rutishauser
How much of the TCR repertoire can we make sense of? Can your TCR and GEX data be put in the context of other conditions/tissues? How many varieties of T cells are in the repertoire zoo? All these questions (& more) addressed in our latest preprint: MetaCoNGA www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1... . a 🧵
Diverse modes of T cell receptor sequence convergence define unique functional and cellular phenotypes
Single-cell techniques allow concurrent study of gene activity and T cell receptor (TCR) sequences, identifying connections between TCR structure and cell traits. Expanding on our CoNGA software, we p...
www.biorxiv.org
July 14, 2025 at 11:52 PM
How much of the TCR repertoire can we make sense of? Can your TCR and GEX data be put in the context of other conditions/tissues? How many varieties of T cells are in the repertoire zoo? All these questions (& more) addressed in our latest preprint: MetaCoNGA www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1... . a 🧵