About
Research
Overview
In the Iwasaki Laboratory, we focus on understanding how viruses infect the host through the mucosal surfaces to cause diseases, how the immune system deals with viral infections within these local tissues, how acute infections lead to long-term diseases, and to use such insights to design vaccines and therapeutics against acute & chronic viral diseases, post-viral diseases, autoimmunity, and cancer. We study immune responses to a variety of viruses including herpes simplex viruses, Zika virus, influenza viruses, rhinoviruses, and retroviruses - with the most recent focus on SARS-CoV-2. Our studies have led to the development of mucosal vaccines that can prevent infection, transmission, and recurrent diseases.
Our research addresses mechanisms of innate immune recognition of viruses and initiation of adaptive antiviral immunity, particularly at the natural site of virus encounter at the mucosal surfaces. Basic insights gained from studying the natural immune protective mechanisms help propel better vaccine designs. On the other hand, when the immune system fails to successfully deal with the pathogens, downstream consequences include the development of infectious diseases, autoimmunity, neurodegenerative diseases, and cancer. For specific projects being carried out in this laboratory, please click on the links below.
Medical Research Interests
Public Health Interests
Academic Achievements & Community Involvement
News & Links
Media
How Inflammation Affects Your Health
The word “inflammation” might conjure up images of a swollen ankle after some missteps on a long hike. But inflammation has also emerged as a key factor in serious diseases, such as cardiovascular disease, cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, obesity, diabetes, and a variety of infectious diseases including HIV/AIDS. So, what, exactly, is inflammation? When scientists and researchers discuss inflammation, they’re referring to the body’s natural way of defending itself against tissue damage, as well as against viruses and bacteria. It’s a defensive response governed primarily by the immune system, which dispatches white blood cells to the affected sites, resulting in redness and swelling or symptoms such as fever. But they’re also talking about how, sometimes, the immediate, or acute, immune response isn’t enough to clear those viruses. At that point, the inflammation becomes chronic, resulting in harm to the body. “In those conditions, such as infection with HIV or hepatitis virus or long COVID, there may be a persistent viral reservoir that’s causing the chronic inflammation,” explains Akiko Iwasaki, PhD, professor of immunobiology at Yale School of Medicine. “And in that case, the inflammation itself becomes the enemy.” In this video, Iwasaki talks more about acute and chronic inflammation, and how they work with homeostasis, which is the process our bodies naturally use to maintain the critical functions that keep us alive, including heart rate, breathing, and glucose and insulin levels.
A better understanding of inflammation, Iwasaki explains, can help provide clues for developing therapies for inflammatory diseases.
News
- August 05, 2026Source: Science Online (with Akiko Iwasaki, PhD)
COVID-19 can wake up dormant viruses in the body, large study confirms
- July 01, 2026
Tsang-Led Team Receives Grant for Viral Resilience Project
- June 24, 2026Source: WTNH-TV Online (with Akiko Iwasaki, PhD)
What to know about genital herpes and how common is it
- June 19, 2026
A Two-Pronged Vaccine Approach to Prevent Genital Herpes
Get In Touch
Contacts
Immunobiology
PO Box 208011, 300 Cedar Street
New Haven, CT 06520
United States
Administrative Support
Locations
The Anlyan Center
Academic Office
300 Cedar Street, Ste Suite 655B
New Haven, CT 06519
The Anlyan Center
Lab
300 Cedar Street, Ste S630
New Haven, CT 06519
Appointments
203.785.7662