In the News

Science in Seattle, March 27, 2023
COVID-19 mRNA Vaccination Does Not Promote Autoantibody Development
Researchers from Benaroya Research Institute and Yale University have confirmed that COVID-19 immunization does not drive the development of new autoantibodies. The results of this work bolster the emerging safety profile of mRNA vaccines and highlights their ability to decouple SARS-CoV-2 immunity from the autoantibody responses observed during acute COVID-19 infection.

Science in Seattle, February 13, 2023
New Study Finds That Germinal Centers Are Regulated by Thymic Stromal Lymphopoietin Signaling in B Cells and T Cells
Scientists from BRI, led by Dr. Steven Ziegler, show that thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) signaling regulates germinal center (GC) function. “In addition to identifying TSLP as a novel regulator of the GC, we were able to demonstrate how the TSLP signaling pathway impacts B and T cell responses separately to regulate the GC and the magnitude and quality of antibody responses,” says Dr. Ziegler. 

Science in Seattle, February 6, 2023
Characterizing T Cell Responses to Enzymatically Modified Beta Cell Neo-Epitopes
Previous studies verify the formation of enzymatically post-translationally modified (PTM) self-peptides and their preferred recognition by T cells in subjects with type 1 diabetes. However, questions remain about the relative prevalence of T cells that recognize PTM self-peptides derived from different antigens, their functional phenotypes, and whether their presence correlates with a specific disease endotype.

Science in Seattle, January 23, 2023
New Study from Benaroya Research Institute and the University of Washington Identify Novel Mechanism of Regulatory T Cells’ Role in Maintaining Immune System Homeostasis.
Researchers at BRI and UW have published findings that illustrate a novel mechanism for regulatory T cells’ (Tregs) role in maintaining balance in a healthy immune system. These new results show that when Tregs interact with CD4 effector T cells (Teffs), the cells that promote an inflammatory response, they suppress protein synthesis, preventing cell division and the production of more Teffs.

Science in Seattle, January 16, 2023
Lupus Nephritis: New Approach Could Pave the Way for Innovative Treatments.
Dr. Jessica Hamerman is teaming up with BRI genetics expert Dr. John Ray. Together, they’re examining if certain genes allow patrolling monocytes to move into the kidneys — and if blocking those genes could treat or even prevent lupus nephritis. Drs. Hamerman and Ray will combine their unique skill sets to examine and manipulate genes in lifelike models. This approach has never been done at BRI and is very new in immunology. 

Science in Seattle, January 9, 2023
A Promising New Approach to Stopping Type 1 Diabetes.
What if the cure to type 1 diabetes (T1D) is hiding in your own cells? A team of researchers from BRI and Seattle Children’s Research Institute have been asking this question for years – and it led them to develop a new type of therapy that could someday become a groundbreaking treatment for T1D and other autoimmune diseases.

National Institutes of Health, January 4, 2023
NIH Study Links Specific Outdoor Air Pollutants to Asthma Attacks in Urban Children.
Researchers at the Benaroya Research Institute have published findings concluding that in the absence of viral infection, elevated air quality index values are associated with asthma exacerbations and lowered lung function in children living in low-income urban neighborhoods. The observational study is one of the first to link elevated levels of specific outdoor air pollutants in particular urban locations to distinct changes in the airways during asthma attacks not triggered by respiratory viruses, according to the investigators. The findings were published today in the journal The Lancet Planetary Health.
Additional Coverage:

GeekWire, December 15, 2022
Washington Research Foundation announced its sixth annual cohort of WRF postdoctoral fellows.
Washington Research Foundation will support 12 researchers for three years at Benaroya Research Institute, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, University of Washington and Washington State University.

News Medical Life Sciences, November 29, 2022
Pediatric acute myeloid leukemia genetic subtypes with poor outcomes show increased inflammatory cytokine signaling
In a recent study published in Nature Communications, BRI researchers used ribonucleic acid (RNA) sequence data to understand the association between inflammatory cytokines and poor outcomes of pediatric Acute Myeloid Leukemia (pAML).

Science in Seattle, November 7, 2022
IL-6-Targeted Therapies Directed to Cytokine or Receptor Blockade Drive Distinct Alterations in T Cell Function
Therapeutics that inhibit IL-6 at different points in its signaling pathway are in clinical use yet whether the immunologic effects of these interventions differ based on their molecular target is unknown. The authors performed short-term interventions in individuals with type 1 diabetes using anti-IL-6 or anti-IL-6 receptor and investigated the impact of this in vivo blockade on T cell fate and function. 

Science in Seattle, October 24, 2022
BRI Awarded $3.4M  NIH R01 Grant to Continue Studying Why Immune Responses are Altered in Those with Down Syndrome
BRI has announced a new $3.4 million-dollar five-year Research Project Grant (R01) by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to study why immune responses are altered in those with Down syndrome. Principal Investigator Dr. Bernard Khor will lead the R01 grant that builds on prior findings of advanced immune aging in people with Down syndrome

Fierce Biotech, October 10, 2022
Islet-homing engineered T regs protect against type 1 diabetes
In a study published Oct. 5 in Science Translational Medicine, researchers from BRI and SCRI described how they engineered regulatory T cells that homed to the pancreas, where they successfully blocked diabetes development in mice. 

Snoqualmie Valley Record,  August 10, 2022
Seahawks Rumble on the Ridge tournament kicks off Boeing Classic
The tournament benefits Benaroya Research Institute (BRI). Local sports celebrities gather this week to play the annual fundraiser.

Seattle’s Child, August  7, 2022
Boeing Classic Kids’ Events
Kids are encouraged to learn to golf, watch the pros, or both at the annual PGA golf tournament benefiting BRI.

Science in Seattle, May 18, 2022
BRI Advances Understanding of the Link between Genetics and Autoimmune Disease Risk
A study published in Nature Genetics brings scientists closer to unraveling the genetic mechanisms underpinning autoimmune disease risk. The work pinpoints many regions of the genome that vary between individuals that could potentially cause autoimmune disease. Most of these regions lay outside of genes, making them difficult to study without the use of cutting-edge technologies employed by Dr. John Ray of BRI and colleagues. 

Medical Xpress, May 9, 2022
Exploring autoimmunity's regulatory roots
A team of researchers from The Jackson Laboratory, Benaroya Research Institute, and the Broad Institute paired two high-throughput methods to examine genome-wide association studies-defined variants associated with five autoimmune diseases. In the process, they were able to zero in on non-coding variants associated with autoimmune disorders, one of which appears to play a key role in keeping the immune system's T cells in check.

Geek Wire, May 7, 2022
The thousands of genetic variants linked to autoimmune disease have been honed down to those most likely to have an effect
Researchers at the Benaroya Research Institute and other institutions pulled out 60 gene variants by assessing their influence on gene activity in T cells.

Geek Wire, April 28, 2022
Studies on respiratory infections, type 1 diabetes, boosted with $17M to Benaroya Research Institute
Seattle’s Benaroya Research Institute (BRI) has landed $17.1 million in funding to assess why respiratory infections hit some people particularly hard, to explore new ways of treating type 1 diabetes, and other efforts.

Puget Sound Business Journal, April 28, 2022
Benaroya Research Institute lands $17.1M in NIH research grants
The Seattle-based center will use the dollars from the National Institutes of Health to study respiratory viral infections in vulnerable populations, as well as Crohn's disease, lung immune responses, viral infections and more.

Science in Seattle, March 25, 2022
Publication of the Week: Oral Desensitization Therapy for Peanut Allergy Induces Dynamic Changes in Peanut-Specific Immune Responses
In this publication from the Wambre Lab, they defined key mechanistic correlates of the reduction of clinical reactivity to peanuts observed in peanut-allergic individuals treated with Peanut Oral immunotherapy (PnOIT). They show that skewing allergen-specific T cells away from the pathogenic TH2A responses represent a key event in the desensitization to peanuts. The data presented  supports PnOIT potential as an immunomodulatory therapy and will guide the development of more effective therapies for food allergic disease.

Puget Sound Business Journal, March 21, 2022
Life sciences, biotech research draw big bucks to Washington
In 2021, Washington's life sciences and biotech research industry received more than $1.4 billion in funding from the National Institutes of Health, according to a report released this week. The University of Washington was the state's largest recipient, with 1,040 grants totaling $543 million. The Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center was next, with $462 million, followed by Seattle Children's Hospital ($106 million), Benaroya Research Institute at Virginia Mason ($71 million) and the Allen Institute ($58 million).

Super Interessante, March 17, 2022
Down syndrome ages the immune system: Condition alters T cells, which act as if the person is up to 18 years older
Down syndrome increases the risk of developing autoimmune diseases, in which the immune system attacks the body itself. A study, published by BRI's Khor Lab, that looked at 81 carriers of the syndrome may have discovered the reason: it modifies T cells (whose function is to kill cells that are infected by viruses). It's a normal process that goes on throughout life as we catch viruses and bacteria – and T cells store information about them. But in Down syndrome, this transition is faster: the proportion of “memory” cells increases rapidly (as if the person were older than they really are), and they begin to attack the body itself.

AZO Life Sciences, March 7, 2022
Role of Augmented Reality in Science
While the use of AR remains relatively niche in the field of scientific research, some key insights have already been gained by leveraging this technology. For example, researchers at the Benaroya Research Institute, Washington, have used AR to help visualize the lysosomes within a cell. As a result, the researchers were able to understand the complex interactions and activities occurring within the cell that were invisible to them in the 2D images.

LuMind IDSC Foundation, January 20, 2022
Down syndrome tied to accelerated immune system aging, higher risk of autoimmune disorders
National Down syndrome research foundation website features Dr. Khor’s studies on Down syndrome and immune system aging.

Reuters Health, January 19, 2022
Down syndrome tied to accelerated immune system aging, higher risk of autoimmune disorders
A news feed for health professionals included this article quoting Dr. Khor on research indicating individuals with Down syndrome showed faster aging of their immune systems and a higher risk of autoimmunity.

Science in Seattle, January 17, 2022
Publication of the Week: Deep Immune Phenotyping Reveals Similarities between Aging, Down Syndrome, and Autoimmunity
The work of BRI’s Bernard Khor, MD, PhD, and team involving premature aging of the immune system in people with Down syndrome was featured first in the weekly e-newsletter.

American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), January 14, 2022
Autoimmunity in Down Syndrome Arises From Rapid Immune Aging
People with Down syndrome face a higher risk of autoimmune disease. A research team led by BRI’s Bernard Khor, MD, PhD, found this risk might be connected with premature aging of the immune system.

Science in Seattle, January 10, 2022
Inside the Sound Life Project: How BRI Is Studying Health to Understand Disease
In 2019, BRI launched the Sound Life Project, a two-year study aiming to learn more about the range of what healthy immune systems look like. Despite the pandemic, researchers have pushed forward and are moving toward creating a highly detailed portrait of the immune system. The Sound Life Project takes an especially deep dive into the immune system, collecting vast amounts of data over a long period of time. 

Science in Seattle, January 10, 2022
Publication of the Week: Cross-Reactive and Mono-Reactive SARS-CoV-2 CD4+ T Cells in Prepandemic and COVID-19 Convalescent Individuals
Bill Kwok's lab and Uma Malhotra published a manuscript in PLOS PATHOGENS on December 29, 2021 that investigates common cold coronavirus T cells that also bind to SARS-CoV-2 antigens. The scientists created tetramers with peptides that overlap between the common cold and SARS-CoV-2 coronaviruses. The frequencies of these epitope-specific T cells were estimated in COVID-19 convalescent and pre-pandemic samples using these tetramers. Four Spike specific cross-reactive epitopes were identified. The data suggests that only a limited number of SARS-CoV-2 T cells are cross-reactive. Their potentially supportive role of these cross-reactive T cells against SARS-CoV-2 will need further study.

Discover Magazine, October 21, 2021
Does the Vaccine Cut Your Risk of Getting Long COVID?
Long COVID — its official medical designation is Post-acute sequelae SARS-CoV-2, or PASC — is known to affect up to 30 percent of patients who are infected with the virus. […] “We do not yet understand what predisposes individuals to long COVID,” says physician-scientist Bernard Khor, principal investigator at Benaroya Research Institute at Virginia Mason. 

NEJM, September 24, 2021
In Gratitude for mRNA Vaccines, a featured opinion piece
BRI faculty member Lynda M. Stuart, MD, PhD, notes that "great things come from small beginnings" and lauds those responsible for helping to realize the potential of modified mRNA vaccines.

Bendigo Amplify, August 27, 2021
Charitable Partner of Boeing Classic Boosted with Cause Marketing.
Put on by the Senior PGA and Virginia Mason Franciscan Health (VMFH) and benefiting the Benaroya Research Institute (BRI) and its work in autoimmune disease research, Bendigo was tasked with redirecting VMFH-sports team partnership messaging to focus on the 16th Boeing Classic and BRI as the beneficiary.

KOMO 1000 Radio, August 23, 2021
An interview with Bernard Khor, MD, PhD, speaking on the topic of COVID vaccines aired on KOMO 1000 Radio on the day the Pfizer vaccine received full approval. 

Science in Seattle, August 23, 2021
Publication of the Week: Endomembrane Targeting of Human OAS1 p46 Augments Antiviral Activity.
In collaboration with University of Washington and Seattle Childrens' Research Institute, BRI scientists, Jane Buckner, MD, Karen Cerosaletti, PhD, Uma Malhotra, MD and Cate Speake, PhD, worked on a project recently published in Elife that demonstrated that a form of the protein oligoadenylate synthetase allows enhanced access to viral replication sites and results in increased antiviral activity in a subset of RNA viruses, including SARS-CoV-2, the virus that leads to COVID-19. They also showed by human genetic analysis that the DNA mutation that leads to this form of the protein correlates with protection from severe COVID-19, demonstrating that early control of SARS-CoV-2 replication through protein mutations like this can be an important determinant of COVID-19 severity.

KIRO7, August 17, 2021
Booster shot recommendations could create vaccine logjam in the Pacific Northwest.
The Biden administration is expected to announce soon that people should get a COVID-19 booster shot eight months after their last shot. The delta variant of COVID-19 has spurred interest in vaccinations, especially when it comes to a booster shot. BRI's Bernard Khor, MD, PhD was interviewed by KIRO7 about his expectations regarding booster shots and the delta variant.

“I think especially in the context of the new variant that likely will require high levels of protective antibodies, I think that booster is really going to help with that,” said Dr. Khor. Dr. Khor said that having a booster shot eight months after being vaccinated would not be a surprise.

KUOW NPR, August 6, 2021
Do you need a Covid-19 booster shot? Seattle researchers aim to find out.
The BRI is one of several nationwide clinical trial sites for the Pfizer booster shot study, the purpose of which has been to determine whether boosters are necessary, safe and effective. BRI's Sandra Lord, MD, is featured in a KUOW article and segment on this topic; she explains how the trials work and which questions have yet to be answered.

KOMO 4 News, August 4, 2021
Carmen Mikacenic, MD was interviewed by KOMO 4 News for a segment about COVID vaccines and the coming flu season.

Science in Seattle, August 2, 2021
Publication of the Week: PGD2 and CRTH2 counteract Type 2 cytokine–elicited intestinal epithelial responses during helminth infection.
A publication in which BRI's James Lord, MD, PhD, collaborated with scientists at the University of Washington was highlighted as publication of the week. The authors show that mice deficient in the prostaglandin D2 (PGD2) receptor CRTH2 and mice with CRTH2 deficiency only in nonhematopoietic cells exhibited enhanced worm clearance and intestinal goblet cell hyperplasia following infection with the helminth Nippostrongylus brasiliensis, showing that the PGD2–CRTH2 pathway negatively regulates the Type 2 cytokine–driven epithelial program. 

Unavision Seattle, July 21, 2021
Al Grano
Long Lab research technician, Carolina Acosta Vega, was interviewed in Spanish about COVID vaccines on Al Grano, a news talk program airing on Facebook Live and TV channel Univision Seattle. Host Jaime Mendez and others posed questions about testing of booster shots and the Delta variant of the virus. 

Geekwire, July 15, 2021
Are COVID-19 booster shots on the horizon? Here’s what researchers investigating the question say.
After serving as a clinical trial center for the groundbreaking Pfizer vaccine now in widespread use against COVID-19, BRI is one of several locations testing a possible booster shot. Led in Seattle by our Center for Interventional Immunology, the trials seek to determine whether and when the fully vaccinated will need a third dose of vaccine. Clinical Director Sandra Lord, MD, speaks to the particulars and interest level in the most recent study. 

Nature, July 14, 2021
Creating T cells to guard against autoimmune disease
Biotechnology companies are engineering regulatory T (Tregs) cells to help protect the body from friendly fire. Treg cells are rare, difficult to grow in the laboratory and prone to sudden identity shifts. But this class of immune cell also forms the main line of defence against autoimmune disease and many inflammatory conditions. The idea is that each person’s Treg cells will be tailored to help them better guard against rogue Teff cells. Biotechnology companies are leveraging two rapidly advancing technologies: chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell manipulation, which provides T cells with receptor proteins matched to specific cell targets; and CRISPR–Cas9 genome-editing tools. Individual autoimmune diseases are likely to need their own targeting strategy. For some diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis and type 1 diabetes, researchers think that they have a good handle on appropriate antigen targets, says Jane Buckner, a rheumatologist at Benaroya Research Institute in Seattle, Washington. For autoimmune conditions such as lupus that affect multiple tissues, it might be more difficult to identify targets and measure therapeutic effectiveness.

KOMO AM Radio, July 9, 2021
BRI's work on COVID19 booster shot clinical trials
Pfizer is conducting a study into COVID19 booster shots. Much of the research is being done here in Seattle, the Benaroya Research Institute at Virginia Mason is among several locations looking at the efficacy of the Pfizer vaccine and the possibility that people may need a third dose. "So I don't think we know for sure. And that's the primary question being asked in this and other studies that will come down the pipeline." Dr. Sandra Lord is the clinical director. She says the participants will be from all across the country. Now, the results of the research will only apply to the Pfizer vaccine, as additional studies need to be done on the Moderna and Johnson & Johnson versions.

Puget Sound Business Journal, May 19, 2021
People on the Move: Annie Shultz
BRI is pleased to announce the promotion of Annie Shultz to Director, Marketing & Communications. In this role, Annie will have responsibility for developing and leading BRI’s marketing and communications strategy and team. Annie previously served as Program Manager for the Diabetes TrialNet Hub and has been with BRI for 7 years. We offer congratulations as well to Kay Branz, who has retired after 10 years in the Marketing & Communications role.

Washington Global Health Alliance Field Notes, April 30, 2021
More than skin deep 
Oliver Harrison of Benaroya Research Institute at Virginia Mason recently received a $2.9 million NIH grant to study commensal T cells in the skin, which could help doctors learn how to speed or slow immune responses to best fight off diseases. We’ve all got skin in this game.   

Science in Seattle, March 15, 2021
What COVID-19 Is Teaching Us About the Immune System
BRI President Dr. Jane Buckner and principal investigator Dr. Adam Lacy-Hulbert presented their work in a Town Hall Seattle program called "What COVID-19 is Teaching Us About the Immune System". In addition to examining how the immune system is implicated in both autoimmune disease and complications from COVID, they discussed how vaccines work.

International Business Times, March 10, 2021
New Researcher Dr. Oliver Harrison at the Benaroya Research Institute at Virginia Mason Receives $2.9 Million NIH R01 Grant to Study How the Immune System Responds to the Microbiome
Principal Investigator Oliver Harrison, DPhil, at the Benaroya Research Institute at Virginia Mason (BRI) has been awarded a $2.9 million-dollar 5-year Research Project Grant (R01) by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to study the mechanisms by which the immune system responds to the body's microbiome, and how these immune responses go awry during inflammatory, immune-mediated and autoimmune disorders. The study has a particular focus on ways to prevent skin infection while accelerating wound repair through manipulation of microbiome-specific T-cells found within the skin.
Additional Coverage:

KUOW, January 13, 2021
Seattle Covid vaccine study participants now finding out if they got the real deal
Last month, Karen and Carmen Mikacenic compared notes. The mother-daughter pair received two doses of something as part of the BRI site for the Pfizer vaccine study. They were two of hundreds of Seattle-area people who may have received Covid vaccines as volunteers in research trials. Karen and Carmen are close, and they’ve been talking about their experiences in the study as it’s gone forward. Carmen received an email from the research study. The next time participants came in for a visit as part of the study, they could decide whether to “crossover” – get the real vaccine – if they had gotten the placebo. 

Health Magazine, January/February, 2021
Your Best Defense
When it comes to your body's ability to fight off germs, your habits matter--a lot. BRI's president Jane Buckner, MD, provides her perspective on how our everyday choices impact immune function and lifelong health.

Puget Sound Business Journal, January 7, 2021
Dr. Kaplan shares what's next for Virginia Mason following merger
The formation of Virginia Mason Franciscan Health (VMFH) has been officially announced, merging Seattle-headquartered Virginia Mason Health System with Tacoma-based CHI Franciscan. The new integrated health system will have 300 sites in Western Washington including 11 hospitals, an array of primary and specialty care clinics and same day surgery centers. The group will also indluce the renowned Benaroya Research Institute, Bailey-Boushay House and Virginia Mason Institute. 

Washington Global Health Alliance, Field Notes, December 18, 2020
Awards and Accolades: Benaroya Research Institute president, Dr. Jane Hoyt. Buckner, was named one Puget Sound Business Journal’s 2020 Women of Influence. And, Dr. Jessica Hamerman received the Lupus Mechanisms and Targets Award from the Lupus Research Alliance.   

KIRO7 News, December 16, 2020
WA Pfizer vaccine trial participants share experiences for the first time.
People in western Washington who put their health on the line to test the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine before the Food and Drug Administration gave it the green light are sharing their experiences for the first time. Kristine Crawford said the biggest reason she wanted to share her experience is to help build confidence in the vaccine. Dr. Carla Greenbaum is the lead investigator for the Pfizer trial at Benaroya Research Institute at Virginia Mason. She said knowing they played a role in helping a vaccine get authorized — and seeing health care workers get the first doses — has been incredibly emotional. “It’s huge milestone. It’s giving people hope; it’s light at the end of the tunnel,” Dr.Greenbaum said. These healthcare workers who are getting these first vaccine doses are getting tracked – their blood is getting drawn before and after vaccination for new research that has just started at Benaroya Research Center.

The Seattle Times, December 15, 2020
Front-line medical workers get first doses of coronavirus vaccine in Seattle
Dr. Thuan Ong hunched before colleagues and cameras with hands clasped tight between his knees and his eyes trained on UW Medical Center’s gray hospital carpet. Dr. Thuan Ong’s voice quavered with emotion amid complicated reflections as he waited to be vaccinated against the novel coronavirus. “I feel very privileged,” said Ong, who since February has ventured into long-term care facilities where the most vulnerable have suffered — from COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus, and from the lonely inhumanity that accompanies it. “People like us volunteered so we could know how safe the vaccine is and how protective it is — and what we now know from these early results is that it’s safe and effective,” said Dr. Carmen Mikacenic, an intensive care physician and researcher at Virginia Mason and Benaroya Research Institute, which coordinated the trial. “People should really get it if they can.”

KIRO7 News, December 4, 2020
Pfizer testing COVID-19 vaccine on kids and Moderna is next – but some parents are worried
Pfizer is recruiting and already testing their COVID-19 vaccine in kids 12 years and older. It’s their latest effort to get the vaccine ready for children before school begins next year. The Benaroya Research Institute at Virginia Mason in Seattle is the only location in Western Washington currently listed on clinicaltrials.gov as part of Pfizer’s expanded vaccine clinical trial that includes children.

Yahoo Finance, December 3, 2020
LRA's 2020 LMTA Grantees Focus on Finding Targets for New Lupus Drug Development
BRI's Jessica Hamerman, PhD, is the recipient of a Lupus Mechanisms and Targets Award from the Lupus Research Alliance. Dr. Hamerman will explore how IgA autoantibodies, which are present in about half of the people with lupus, may contribute to lupus and define the mechanisms involved. If IgA autoantibodies prove to be important in disease development, drugs may be designed to interfere with their effects. 

News Medical Life Sciences, November 24, 2020
Mild COVID-19 disease may trigger long-term immunity
The team – from the University of Washington and Benaroya Research Institute in Seattle –performed an analysis of SARS-CoV-2 specific immune responses at one month and three months following symptom onset among individuals who had recovered from mild COVID-19. The majority of participants developed SARS-CoV-2 -specific IgG antibodies, neutralizing antibodies, and memory B and T cells that persisted for at least three months. Three months following symptom onset, recovered individuals had formed an expanded arsenal of virus-specific memory cells that exhibited hallmarks of antiviral immunity.

Puget Sound Business Journal, November 16, 2020
Benaroya Research Institute president pulls back the curtain on Covid-19 study
Dr. Jane Hoyt Buckner is among the Business Journal's 2020 Women of Influence honorees. Dr. Jane Hoyt Buckner reveals the biggest challenge in those research efforts and shares her outlook on the development of a Covid-19 vaccine.

JAMA Network, November 3, 2020
Newly Discovered Cellular Pathway Blocks Ebola, COVID-19 Viruses
Faced with the urgent need for new antiviral strategies, investigators recently uncovered a surprising pathway that host cells use to protect against diverse viruses, including those that cause Ebola and COVID-19. “This platform is novel and different for several reasons: It both activates and inactivates genes in a truly genome-wide way, it is fast and inexpensive, and it can be easily applied to different cell types and organisms,” the study’s senior author, Adam Lacy-Hulbert, PhD, of BRI. “We were most interested in turning on genes and finding ones that protected the cell,” he explained.

The findings, published in Science, point to a potential novel treatment target.

Science in Seattle, October 19, 2020
Targeting the Genetic Roots of Autoimmunity
Every human has almost exactly the same DNA. But about 0.1% of human DNA is variable. This tiny percentage drives a surprising number of unique qualities in humans, from hair and eye color to our metabolism and immune responses. “Genetic variation contributes to the wonderful diversity among people,” explains Dr. John Ray. “But it can also lead to disease.”

PLU News, September 17, 2020
Thu “Kim” Le interns with Benaroya Research Institute, doing cancer research from home 
As the pandemic has progressed many of found ourselves thinking more about health and disease, however, Thu “Kim” Le ‘21 has spent most of her college career researching these topics. Le recently completed a six-week summer internship with the Benaroya Research Institute (BRI) at Virginia Mason, where she analyzed data isolated from the cells cancer patients. While the internship typically involves more hands-on lab experience, due to the pandemic Thu and other interns are working remotely analyzing data and looking for red flags in the cell information, with the goal of helping scientists develop a stronger understanding of how cancer patients respond to new immunotherapies.  

Healthline, September 3, 2020
‘Lost time and momentum’
TrialNet, one of the nation’s best known and longest running diabetes discovery programs led at BRI, was hopping in January as well. The story is the same with researchers and at labs across America. 2020 began as a year of hope. With the economy roaring, foundations were flush with donations for funding projects. The pandemic stopped it all cold. With trials looking at prevention and offsetting the onset of type 1 diabetes (T1D), they were feeling very much on the cusp of something big just after the start of the New Year. Then, COVID-19 shut things down. 

GeekWire, August 27, 2020
Researchers discover new avenue for fighting COVID-19, Ebola and other viral diseases 
A team including researchers from Seattle’s Benaroya Research Institute at Virginia Mason has identified a new pathway for protecting cells from deadly viruses — including the coronavirus that causes COVID-19 as well as the Ebola virus. The technique, described in this week’s issue of the journal Science, takes advantage of a screening technique for seeking out new genes that can prevent infection.
Additional Coverage:

Xconomy, August 5, 2020
GentiBio Joins Cell Therapy Chase With $20M and New Treg Technology
One of the challenges facing cell therapy developers is collecting enough cells to produce a viable treatment. It’s a particularly pronounced problem for therapies employing regulatory T cells (Tregs). Some biotech companies are developing Treg cell therapies from a patient’s own Tregs, which are scarce. GentiBio makes its Treg therapeutic candidates from an entirely different type of immune cell. 
Additional Coverage:

GeekWire, July 14, 2020
Benaroya Research Institute awarded $5.8M from NIH for immunology-related COVID research
As part of the scientific community trying to understand the varied and curious symptoms caused by COVID-19, the Benaroya Research Institute (BRI) at Virginia Mason announced Tuesday that it has received more than $5.8 million dollars from the National Institutes of Health to fund four studies.
Additional Coverage:

Science in Seattle, July 13, 2020
Dr. Oliver Harrison Awarded First NOSTER Science Microbiome Prize for Winning Essay on T Cells and Tissue Repair
Oliver “Ollie” Harrison, DPhil, Principal Investigator at Benaroya Research Institute at Virginia Mason (BRI), was recently awarded the NOSTER Science Microbiome Prize by Science Magazine, earning the opportunity to have his winning essay featured in Science Magazine. 

KIRO7, June 30, 2020
Benaroya Research Institute at Virginia Mason is a leader in finding cure to autoimmune diseases
KIRO7 News spoke with Benaroya Research Institute's (BRI's) president, Jane Buckner, MD about how the institute's scientists are using their immune system expertise in the fight against COVID-19. For the last 3 months BRI has been actively studying patients who are infected with COVID-19 to understand what is going on with their immune systems in order to select better therapies. BRI has also been involved in COVID-19 clinical studies. 

Medical Xpress, June 3, 2020
Engineered T cells for type 1 diabetes move closer to clinic
New research is bringing us closer to opening a first-in-human clinical trial of an experimental therapy at Seattle Children's in collaboration with research partner Benaroya Research Institute at Virginia Mason (BRI). The therapy that is being developed for children with type 1 diabetes doesn't involve insulin injections but uses a person's own immune cells to target and treat the disease.

In type 1 diabetes, specific types of immune cells called effector T cells mistakenly attack insulin-producing islet cells in the pancreas. The job of these islet cells is to sense when glucose levels are rising in the bloodstream and to respond by releasing insulin. The attack continues because other components of the immune system, regulatory T cells (Treg), do not function normally.

To stop this attack, Rawlings' lab devised a way to genetically engineer a patients own T cells, so they function like normal Treg. The hope is that when transferred back into the patient, these engineered or edited regulatory-like T cells (edTreg) enter the pancreas, where they can help to suppress the overactive immune response, sustaining and protecting the function of the islet cells.

FierceBiotech, June 3, 2020
Gene-edited T cells to treat diabetes inch closer to clinical trials
Scientists from the Seattle Children’s Research Institute and the Benaroya Research Institute have found a potential way to turn off the destructive autoimmune response in Type 1 diabetes—and it involves editing the genes of patients' own T cells. The team showed that by gene-editing CD4+ T cells to express a protein called FOXP3, they could turn the cells into cells with immunosuppressive properties, according to a new study published in the journal Science Translational Medicine. Taking a page from T cell receptor (TCR) technology that’s been explored as an anti-cancer treatment, the researchers further engineered the cells to be antigen-specific.

KUOW -NPR, May 26, 2020
Are those ‘Covid toes,’ or should you be wearing slippers?
The syndrome is being called “Covid toe,” but how (or even whether) Covid-19 actually causes it is a mystery, one that researchers in the Seattle area are trying to solve. Many of the people with this affliction test negative for coronavirus, but doctors still believe there may be a connection. 

There’s another possibility. It turns out Covid toe looks like a condition called chilblains, which involves inflammation of the small blood vessels in your skin, which is similar to more serious inflammation that’s also likely caused by Covid-19. Some kids, for example, are getting a rare inflammatory disease closely being linked to Covid-19, called pediatric multisystem inflammatory syndrome. Dr. Jane Buckner, a rheumatologist and president of the Benaroya Research Institute in Seattle, said that overreaction by the immune system may be the key link to Covid-19 in both instances. She is hopeful that treatments for more serious complications caused by Covid-19 are coming soon. She pointed out that there are a number of immune-suppressing drugs already being used to treat other immune disorders, which might help treat patients with Covid-19.

Science in Seattle, May 7, 2020
Hybrid Insulin Peptides are Recognized by Human T Cells in the Context of DRB1*04:01
The overarching goal of the research in the laboratory of Eddie James, PhD, is to develop an increasingly in- depth knowledge of autoreactive T cell responses by examining the characteristics of epitope specific cells through robust multi-parameter assays and also at the single cell level. We seek to leverage that knowledge to develop clinically meaningful biomarkers and to reveal potential new avenues for therapy.

Natural Awakenings, April 30, 2020
Healing the Immune System: Autoimmune Breakthroughs Offer New Hope
BRI President and Virginia Mason Rheumatologist Dr. Jane Buckner talked to Natural Awakenings Publishing Corp. about how autoimmune diseases are connected, genetic predispositions, and how far research and treatments have come in the last two decades.

KUOW NPR, April 27, 2020
The race for the coronavirus vaccine in Seattle, and the people behind it
This article features three people on the frontlines of developing a coronavirus vaccine, including Lynda Stuart, an affiliate investigator who works with Adam Lacey-Hulbert. In her role at the Gates Foundation, which is highlighted in this article, Lynda Stuart directs vaccine development, including multiple efforts to make a coronavirus vaccine.  

LiveStrong.com, April 17, 2020
What Is Your Immune System, Anyway?
LiveStrong.com spoke with our very own Adam Lacy-Hulbert all about the immune system – how it works, what it does, what it means to have a strong, weak or healthy system and how to optimize it. You might be surprised! 

BGR, April 8, 2020
Doctors don’t understand this mysterious condition that kills coronavirus patients
Doctors treating coronavirus patients have been trying to figure out the immune system’s “cytokine storm” that can kill COVID-19 patients. Benaroya Research Institute in Seattle immunologist Jessica Hamerman likened them to a faulty smoke alarm. “Think about it like when the smoke alarm never goes off — you’re going to keep calling the firefighters over and over again, and you’re going to have too many there,” she said. In this case, the firefighters are the immune cells fighting the coronavirus, which can then attack healthy tissue.

NPR, April 7, 2020
Why Some COVID-19 Patients Crash: The Body's Immune System Might Be To Blame
It's a strange and tragic pattern in some cases of COVID-19: The patient struggles through the first week of illness, and perhaps even begins to feel a little better. Then suddenly they crash. Now doctors and researchers are increasingly convinced that, in some cases at least, the cause is the body's own immune system overreacting to the virus. The problem, known broadly as a "cytokine storm," can happen when the immune system triggers a runaway response that causes more damage to its own cells than to the invader it's trying to fight. "Cytokine storms occur when the immune system gets stuck trying to fight a disease," says Jessica Hamerman, an immunologist at Benaroya Research Institute in Seattle. Cytokine molecules summon various immune cells to swoop in and attack an infection. Normally they turn on only briefly, then shut off when help arrives. But when a storm occurs, they keep sending the alarm long after it's needed.MedicalExpress.com, March 31, 2020
Biological 'atlas' shows dual personality for immune cells that cause type 1 diabetes
Immunologists at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital have collaborated with Benaryoa Research Institute at Virginia Mason's Immune Tolerance Network to create a database that identifies gene-regulatory mechanisms in immune cells that facilitate type 1 diabetes. The findings were published today in Nature Immunology. In type 1 diabetes, immune cells called CD8 T cells kill insulin-producing islet cells in the pancreas. By creating an epigenetic "atlas," the researchers revealed that these T cells have a dual biological personality. That dual personality enables the T cells to retain the ability to attack insulin-producing cells across successive generations of T cells. "We now have an epigenetic signature for these cells that we can use to explore treatments for type 1 diabetes that induce immunological tolerance of these T cells to prevent their attack on islet cells," said senior author Ben Youngblood, PhD.Biotechnology News, March 31, 2020, Database Identifies Gene-Regulatory Mechanisms in Immune Cells that Facilitate Type 1 Diabetes

    KUOW, March 30, 2020
    Now is Not the Time to Ease up on Social Distancing
    Social distancing seems to be slowing down the spread of COVID-19 in Washington state. But that doesn't mean people should ease up their efforts. Experts say this week is particularly dangerous. One such expert is Adam Lacy-Hulbert, an immunologist at the Benaroya Research Institute at Virginia Mason in Seattle. "Because the shutdown went into effect a week ago, this is probably the time that the most people have the virus and are spreading it to others." He says now is not the time to let up on social distancing. People need to stay home if they can and stay away from others.

    Science in Seattle, March 16, 2020
    Benaroya Research Institute Launches Gut Research Program
    Benaroya Research Institute at Virginia Mason has launched a new Gut Immunity Program with the support of a $3 million donation from a private donor. Researchers will use model systems, cell samples and clinical studies to understand how immune responses go wrong and result in inflammatory bowel disease, ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease, celiac disease and food allergies.

    Medscape, February 6, 2020
    Screening Kids for Type 1 Diabetes in Primary Care Is Feasible
    Results from a primary care-based autoantibody screening program in Germany lend support to the idea of broad population screening for type 1 diabetes. This is the first attempt to introduce preschool screenings for type 1 diabetes in a general population. "Whether through population-based screening programs such as this one, or through screening of relatives as done by TrialNet, identifying individuals before the clinical diagnosis decreases the morbidity frequently associated with [type 1] diabetes onset," added Carla Greenbaum, MD, who is director of the diabetes program and clinical research center at Benaroya Research Institute, Seattle, Washington.

    Allergic Living, February 6, 2020
    Not Just Celiac: Life with Multiple Autoimmune Conditions
    Lauren Lippincott, who lives in the Seattle area with her husband and son, is an extreme example of what specialists already know: if you have one autoimmune disease, such as celiac disease, there is a good chance you may have other conditions, too. Dr. Jane Buckner, a Seattle-based rheumatologist who has treated Lippincott, says now that the genome has been sequenced, there is a better, if still incomplete understanding of at least some of that risk of additional disease.

    Monadnock Ledge-Transcript, January 30, 2020
    Peterborough woman writes book on learning to live with chronic illness
    Cam Auxer of Peterborough found a way to find the best in her life by writing and connecting with others, who like her live with chronic illness. She started blogging about her experiences, a form of therapy in itself for her. But the real comfort she found was being able to connect with people. The experience was so critical to her, she decided to start her own website with resources for people with chronic illness, called Pajama Daze – and though she didn’t know it at the time, the website would soon become the inspiration for a much bigger project. The profits from the book go to support autoimmune disease research at the Benaroya Research Institute at Virginia Mason Medical Center in Seattle, Washington.
    Additional Coverage:

    Puget Sound Business Journal, January 27, 2020
    People on the Move
    Puget Sound Business Journal’s “People on the Move” online edition features new BRI board members Claire Bonilla, Brian Kotzin, MD and Erin Talbott (print edition Friday, Feb 7).

    AARP.org, January 9, 2020
    Bills in Washington State Would Lower Price of Insulin, Other Prescriptions
    It’s been 13 years since Dana Van Buecken, a nurse practitioner at BRI, was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. In that time, neither the dose nor the brand of insulin she uses has changed, but her cost has jumped from $70 a month to $600. She’s frustrated by the price hikes but at least is able to cover them. As a nurse practitioner, however, Van Buecken, 34, of Kenmore, sees many patients who must decide between buying insulin or paying rent. “It’s very sad, because if you’re willing to take the time to manage your diabetes, you can have a long life expectancy,” she said. “We’re making it cost prohibitive for people to do that.” Curbing escalating prescription drug prices will be a top priority for AARP Washington when the 2020 legislative session kicks off Jan. 13. It’s a particularly pressing issue for older adults, who tend to take more medications and often are living on fixed, limited incomes.
    Additional Coverage:

    Street Insider.com, January 13, 2020
    Life Science Washington Welcomes New Board Chair, Executive Committee Members, and Directors
    Life Science Washington, the state’s life science trade association, announced the addition of three new board members in 2020, and new leadership on the Executive Committee. Margaret McCormick, PhD, Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer, Benaroya Research Institute at Virginia Mason, and Vice President of Research for Virginia Mason Medical Center will serve as Board Chair for 2020-2022. She succeeds Caitlin Cameron, Chair and CEO of OtoNexus Medical Technologies, who will continue to serve on the Executive Committee.
    Additional Coverage:

    Science in Seattle, January 13, 2020
    A New Clinical Trial on the Treatment of Multiple Sclerosis Starts Enrollment
    The Immune Tolerance Network, a program of Benaroya Research Institute at Virginia Mason, has opened the BEAT-MS clinical trial for enrollment. BEAT-MS or “Best Available Therapy vs. Autologous Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant (AHSCT) for Multiple Sclerosis” will investigate high dose immunosuppression followed by AHSCT compared to the best medical treatment currently available for MS in participants with relapsing MS.

    HuffPost, October 23, 2019
    Inflammatory Bowel Diseases Are On The Rise - Why Is This Happening?
    The number of people with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) like Crohn's and colitis is increasing dramatically, studies have found. But what could be behind it? One theory behind the rise, suggested by the Benaroya Research Institute, is that the “seemingly endless supply of sanitary and cleansing products”, which eliminate 99.99% of bacteria, may have altered the diversity of friendly bacteria that have settled in our bowels – therefore making us more susceptible. Another is that it’s a result of our lifestyles. 

    NBC DFW.com, October 7, 2019
    Groundbreaking Immunotherapy Can Delay Onset of Diabetes for 2 Years
    A new global study shows that an immunotherapy drug can delay the onset of type 1 diabetes for two years in high-risk children and adults. The study ran in 28 research sites. The trial results are great news for the relatives of the millions of people with diabetes, who are 15 times more likely to get the disease. Jane Buckner, MD, President at Benaroya Research Institute at Virginia Mason called the study and its results groundbreaking. "This is certainly the first time looking at people at very high risk of getting diabetes who don't have it that we've been able to prove that we could delay disease with this treatment," Buckner said. Of 76 participants in the trial, 72% who got a placebo developed diabetes, compared to only 43% who got teplizumab. Most of those in the trial were under 18 years old.
    Additional Coverage:

    Nature Biotechnology, September 3, 2019
    Anti-CD3 drug keeps diabetes at bay
    The first drug to ever slow the progression from pre-diabetes to clinical type 1 diabetes is one step closer to reaching the market. On August 5, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted breakthrough therapy designation to teplizumab, a CD3-targeted antibody from Provention Bio, to prevent or delay type 1 diabetes onset among children and adults at high risk of developing the disease. The regulatory distinction comes after a June report showing that teplizumab postponed the onset of symptomatic disease by a median of two years compared with placebo in patients who took the drug for 14 days (N. Engl. J. Med. 381, 608–613, 2019).

    Science in Seattle, September 3, 2019
    Discriminative T Cell Recognition of Cross-Reactive Islet-Antigens Is Associated with HLA-DQ8 Transdimer–Mediated Autoimmune Diabetes
    This week Science in Seattle profiles a recent publication in Science Advances from Dr. I-Ting Chow in the laboratory of Dr. William Kwok at Benaroya Research Institute at Virginia Mason. The lab focuses on the characterization of disease-relevant CD4 T lymphocytes in various human disease settings.

    PGATour.com, August 24, 2019
    Peter learning to live with Type 1 Diabetes while family fights to find cure
    Local fans were predictably enthused on the first tee at The Club at Snoqualmie Ridge when hometown hero Fred Couples was warmly introduced before splitting the middle of the fairway with his opening tee shot. The 15th Boeing Classic, which benefits Benaroya Research at Virginia Mason (BRI) was officially underway. Taking in his first golf tournament and quietly watching the World Golf Hall of Fame member was local Seattle nine-year old, Peter Heldring, who was accompanied by his father, Thatcher, and 12-year brother, Jack. Unlike other families, attending a sporting event like the Boeing Classic is not as easy as it once was for the Heldrings. The Heldring family, who once lived typical, healthy lives, were now learning how to care and treat Peter as he joined the one in 1.25 million Americans diagnosed with type 1 diabetes.

    The Science Breaker, August 21, 2019
    Blood-eating cells: a defense or a threat?
    Anemia may be caused by alterations in red blood cell development or destruction. Holly Akelish, PhD, Hayley Waterman and Jessica Hamerman, PhD, identified an immune cell that develops during inflammation or infection that eats red blood cells, leading to severe anemia. They propose these cells may be beneficial in fighting bacterial or parasitic infections. Read the full article to learn more about their discovery of the new cell type, the "inflammatory hemophagocyte (iHPC)," which voraciously consumes red blood cells. 

    New Day Northwest, KING5, August 15, 2019
    The Boeing Classic in Snoqualmie has hosted some of the greatest names in golf
    Today, Boeing Classic volunteer committee co-chairs Tom Bonorden and Gary Kerr appeared in a segment of New Day Northwest on KING 5. In the interview with anchor Michael King, they connected the Boeing Classic golf tournament and its volunteers with immune disease research and BRI, the tournament’s nonprofit beneficiary.

    Science in Seattle, July 26, 2019
    Human CD4+CD103+ Cutaneous Resident Memory T Cells are Found in the Circulation of Healthy Individuals
    This week Science in Seattle profiled a recent publication in Science Immunology from the laboratory of Dr. Daniel Campbell. The lab's current research focus, the significance of the finding in the publicaiton and next steps for this research are discussed in this Science in Seattle Q&A profile.

    Carnegie Mellon University News, July 12, 2019
    Microscopy and VR Illuminate New Ways to Prevent and Treat Disease
    A combined research team from Carnegie Mellon University and Benaroya Research Institute at Virginia Mason is pairing a nanoscale imaging technique with virtual reality technology to create a method that allows researchers to "step inside" their biological data. By combining the technique, called expansion microscopy, with virtual reality (VR), scientists will be able to enlarge, explore and analyze cell structures far beyond the capabilities of traditional light microscopy. 
    Additional Coverage:

    Science in Seattle, June 26, 2019
    Dr. Cate Speake Talks Biorepositories and Immune Health
    Dr. Cate Speake is a Research Assistant Member at Benaroya Research Institute (BRI) at Virginia Mason, where she is investigating biomarkers for type 1 diabetes. She also plays a central role in BRI’s biorepositories, including being the Project Lead on a new project to profile the healthy immune system in partnership with the Allen Institute for Immunology. We sat down with Dr. Speake to discuss this partnership, and how it relates to the biorepositories at BRI.

    TechTheLead, June 17, 2019
    Scientists Employ VR and Microscopy to Prevent and Treat Illnesses
    A research team comprised of researchers from the Carnegie Mellon University and the Benaroya Research Institute has found a new way to use technology for medical research, by combining VR with an innovative nanoscale imaging technique called expansion microscopy. This mix of technologies will allow them to ‘enlarge, explore and analyze cell structures’ way beyond what light microscopy was capable of until now. This new technology would let the researchers to explore the imaged cells in ways that wouldn’t have been possible before or would have been too complex to deal with. 
    Additional Coverage:

    Science in Seattle, June 10, 2019
    Pursuing a Revolution in IBD Treatment
    Drs. Elisa Boden, James Lord and Michael Chiorean from Benaroya Research Institute are working to revolutionize inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) treatment by pursuing a precision medicine approach that could tailor treatment to individual IBD patients. They are performing research to identify biomarkers that can predict whether they respond to a specific drug. This clinical trial was supported by TrialNet, which is led Dr. Carla Greenbaum, a Benaroya Research Institute researcher

    Science Mag, June 9, 2019
    In milestone trial, experimental drug delays type 1 diabetes
    Marking the culmination of a 33-year odyssey, scientists today report a milestone in type 1 diabetes: the first time the disease has been markedly delayed in young people at high risk. Presenting at the American Diabetes Association meeting in San Francisco, California, and publishing simultaneously in The New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM), researchers found that 2 weeks of an experimental intravenous (IV) drug held off disease by an average of about 2 years.
    Additional Coverage:

    The Scientist, May 30, 2019
    Novel Type of Immune Cell Discovered in Type 1 Diabetes Patients
    Jane Buckner, MD, president of BRI, weighs in on the discovery of a novel lymphocyte that bears the characteristics of both B and T cells. Researchers suggest that these hybrid cells could play an important role in the type 1 diabetes a they are significantly more abundant in type 1 diabetes patients. However, more research is needed to establish its role in type 1 diabetes, adds Buckner, who wasn't involved in the study.

    STAT, May 29, 2019
    A lifesaver with a catch: Powerful new cancer drugs can trigger diabetes-and no one is certain why
    Roughly 1% of patients receiving immunotherapy drugs experience the irreversible side effect of developing a disease akin to type 1 diabetes. Making matters worse, oncologists have little clue why. The Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, JDRF (formerly called the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation), and the Helmsley Charitable Trust announced they are joining forces to launch a $10 million, three-year research initiative designed to identify the root causes of drug-induced diabetes among cancer patients. Physician-scientists from Yale, UCSF, the Benaroya Research Institute in Seattle, and the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston, plan to prospectively stockpile biospecimens from a single registry of patients treated as part of routine clinical care.

    May 29, 2019
    BRI to Receive Funding from $10 Million Autoimmunity Research Grant
    Benaroya Research Institute is one of four organizations receiving funding from a new $10 million autoimmunity research grant funded by the Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, JDRF and the Helmsley Charitable Trust. Checkpoint inhibitors have become an increasingly common cancer immunotherapy treatment capable of extending patient lives. However, about 1 percent of patients treated with checkpoint inhibitors develop insulin-dependent diabetes that appears similar to type 1 diabetes (T1D). The new grant aims to understand how and why insulin-dependent diabetes may develop in some people following cancer immunotherapy. There is hope this autoimmunity research collaboration may also shed some light on causes of T1D in the broader population, not just with cancer patients. Among the investigators participating in the grant are Jane Buckner, MD, president and director of translational research at BRI.

    Science in Seattle, May 20, 2019
    Virginia Mason's Research Aims to Find the Connection between Down Syndrome and Autoimmune Diseases
    The Down Syndrome Program at Virginia Mason and the Benaroya Research Institute are working together to research the connection between Down syndrome and autoimmune diseases. Down syndrome is one of the most common genetic conditions, with about 400,000 Americans having Down syndrome. Among those, almost half also have or develop autoimmune diseases. 

    Puget Sound Business Journal, May 10, 2019
    Learning Curve
    Margaret McCormick, PhD, Executive Director of the Benaroya Research Institute at Virginia Mason, sat down for the PSBJ Interview and talked about the most important research being done in Seattle. Be sure to pick up a copy of the May 10, 2019 print edition of the Puget Sound Business Journal or view the digital edition if you are a PSBJ subscriber to see a comprehensive profile of Dr. Margaret McCormick, complete with Q&A, photos and insights into her typical workday.

    New Day Northwest, May 8, 2019
    Virgina Mason's research aims to find the connection between Down Syndrome and Autoimmune diseases
    Almost half of those with Down Syndrome have an autoimmune disease.  Doctor Rebecca Partridge's son was born with Down Syndrome in 2002. When she wasn't able to find the specialized care he needed, she began Virginia Mason's Down Syndrome Program. The program provides primary care, healthcare maintenance, and other vital forms of care in one convenient setting. The Down Syndrome program is also working with the Benaroya Research Institute to research the connection between Down Syndrome and autoimmune diseases. Dr. Partridge from Virginia Mason and Dr. Bernard Khor from the Benaroya Research Institute join New Day Northwest to talk about the joint venture and Virginia Mason's Down Syndrome program. 

    Science in Seattle, May 6, 2019
    Transcriptome Networks Identify Mechanisms of Viral and Nonviral Asthma Exacerbations in Children
    By using systems-scale network analysis, the authors have identified repertoires of cellular transcriptional pathways that lead to and underlie distinct patterns of asthma exacerbation. They showed an additional set of multiple inflammatory cell pathways involved in virus-associated exacerbations, in contrast to squamous cell pathways associated with nonviral exacerbations. 

    Cape Gazette, April 28, 2019
    Local nonprofit donates $10K for autoimmune disease research
    With a $10,000 donation, Operation Shooting Star, a nonprofit autoimmune disease advocacy organization, announced its partnership with Benaroya Research Institute at Virginia Mason, a leader in autoimmune disease research. Audrey Fisher Killen, founder and executive director of OSS, along with National Ambassador Gretchen Schoenstein, recently traveled to Seattle to deliver a donation in the amount of $10,000 to support their current projects which focus on why the immune system turns on itself, and finding a way for everyone to have a healthy immune system.

    Puget Sound Business Journal, March 13, 2019
    People on the Move: Michael Labosier
    Michael Labosier, CPA, CGMA, CMA, has been promoted to Chief Financial Officer at Benaroya Research Institute at Virginia Mason. Mike joined BRI in 2006, most recently serving as Director of Finance and Accounting. He has a breadth of experience in finance, both outside and within Virginia Mason Health System, including nine years in Virginia Mason Medical Center’s finance department.

    Seattle Business, March 5, 2019
    People on the Move: Margaret McCormick, PhD
    Benaroya Research Institute at Virginia Mason (BRI) has named Margaret McCormick, PhD, as its executive director/chief operating officer and Virginia Mason Medical Center vice president of Research. Dr. McCormick previously served as BRI’s chief administrative officer, with direct oversight of operational functions including human resources, finance, facilities and safety.
    Additional Coverage:

    R&D Mag, February 28, 2019
    R&D Special Focus: Virtual Reality Scientific Applications
    VR tool are providing researchers, engineers and designers with entirely new perspectives on their scientific endeavors. For the first time, they can literally step inside their experiments, models and designs and tackle new and innovative ideas and challenges never before possible. Scientists at BRI are taking advantage of VR to conduct detailed experiments focused on autoimmune and immune system diseases. Instead of viewing images of diseased cells on a computer screen with limited detail and restricted angles, using VR, BRI researchers are able to fully analyze specimens.

    HeraldNet, February 20, 2019
    When doctor says yes and insurer says no, what do you do?
    Changes in state law could bring smoother resolutions to disputes over the best treatment options. On the gastroenterology floor at Virginia Mason Seattle, Dr. James Lord, MD, works with Crohn’s and colitis patients who depend on costly pharmaceuticals. A few times a day he enters the room of someone who needs new treatment and the conversation is the same. He explains the options in as much detail as the patient can digest, shares his opinion and then cautions that there’s an invisible man in the room who can dictate care, the insurance provider.

    R&D, February 7, 2019
    Using Virtual Reality, Researchers Get a Closer Look at Autoimmune Disease
    Viewing images of diseased cells on a computer screen means limited detail and restricted angles, prohibiting researchers from fully analyzing specimens. So researchers from Benaroya Research Institute at Virginia Mason (BRI)—a Seattle-based research organization—are taking a different approach. For more than a year, BRI researchers have used virtual reality (VR) tools to conduct detailed experiments about autoimmune and immune system diseases. Adam Lacy-Hulbert, PhD, an associate member at BRI, explained in an interview with R&D Magazine how the research lab is utilizing virtual reality platforms to both speed up and enhance the research process.

    Puget Sound Business Journal, February 5, 2019
    People on the move
    Homer Lane, Executive Director & Chief Financial Officer at BRI has announced his plans to retire March 1.
    Additional Coverage:

    Puget Sound Business Journal, January 15, 2019
    People on the move
    BRI is pleased to announce the addition of Robert Williams, PhD, and Kirk Nelson to its Board of Directors.
    Additional Coverage:

    DDN-NEWS, January 11, 2019
    A new cell type may hold the key to treating autoimmune disease
    A research team led by Jessica A. Hamerman, PhD, at Benaroya Research Institute at Virginia Mason (BRI), has discovered a unique type of cell and its association with a life-threatening complication of viral and autoimmune diseases. The team’s discovery, published in the journal Science, could lead to new treatments for a deadly form of inflammation in children with systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis (SJIA), malaria and Kawasaki disease, as well as patients with lupus.

    Hamerman’s team found a unique type of cell, which they termed inflammatory hemophagocytes (iHPCs), that eat red blood cells in macrophase activation syndrome (MAS) and malaria. The research team was able to show that the iHPCs develop under the influence of two specific proteins that recognize infection and are associated with autoimmune disease.
    Additional Coverage:

    Becker's Health IT & CIO Report, January 4, 2019
    Microsoft, biotech company seen medical researchers, patient groups to help 'map' human immune system
    Microsoft is seeking new research partners to join its T-cell Antigen Map project — an ongoing effort to map the human immune system. The project's ultimate goal is to create a universal blood test that not only detects a wide range of diseases, but also helps researchers personalize a patient's treatment based on their immunological history, including what diseases they have overcome in the past. To date, Microsoft and Adaptive Biotechnologies have entered into partnerships with researchers at Benaroya Research Institute at Seattle-based Virginia Mason, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus in Aurora and the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle.

    Allergic Living Magazine, Winter 2019 (print edition only)
    Not Just Celiac
    Lauren Lippencott, who lives in the Seattle area with her husband and son, is an extreme example of what specialists already know: if you have one autoimmune disease, such as celiac disease, there is a good chance you may have other conditions, too. Dr. Jane Buckner, who has treated Lippincott, says now that the genome has been sequenced, there is a better, if still incomplete understanding of at least some of that risk of additional disease. "We do know there are other factors, too, which are broadly linked with environment and lifestyle," notes Buckner, who is president of the Benaroya Research Institute.

    "With celiac disease, what's so interesting is that you have this autoimmunity that involves the gut and a lot of our tolerance, or intolerance, for foreign things starts at the gut level," says Buckner. "And when you have a gut-immune system that is disturbed, that may promote other inflammatory disorders as well."

    Above is an excerpt. For the full story, which includes profiles of three individuals diagnosed with celiac disease in addition to several other associated diseases, see the print edition.

    KOMO News, December 12, 2018
    Allen Institute for Immunology launches with $125 million from Paul Allen's estate
    Linda Sloate found out she had rheumatoid arthritis when she was 30-years-old, that was 38 years ago. Every three months, she goes to the Virginia Mason clinic for a blood draw so her doctor can monitor the medicine she is taking. But some of that blood goes to the Benoroya Research Institute. It may now end up at the brand new Paul Allen Institute for Immunology.

    The Allen Institute for Immunology launched on Wednesday with a commitment of $125 million by the billionaire philanthropist. Six organizations, including the Benaroya Research Institute, have the ability to supply samples from volunteers like Sloate, who will be working with the Institute. The samples can be tracked at the cellular level and categorized in what one scientist say is the “deep dive we’ve been waiting for”. The hope is researchers at the Institute can find the triggers that turn one’s immune system against the body.
    Additional Coverage:

    The New York Times, November 18, 2018
    New Peanut Allergy Drug Shows 'Lifesaving' Potential
    Results from a new study, led by Aimmune that included BRI as a clinical site, may lead to approval of what could be the first drug that ameliorates potentially deadly reactions in children with severe peanut allergies. After six months of treatment followed by six months of maintenance therapy, two-thirds of the 372 children who received the the oral immunotherapy treatment were able to ingest 600 milligrams or more of peanut protein — the equivalent of two peanuts — without developing allergic symptoms. By contrast, only 4 percent of the 124 children who had been given a placebo powder were able to consume the same amount of peanut without reacting.

    CBS8.com, October 25, 2018
    Benaroya Research Institute Awarded Funding for Autoimmune Disease Research in Down Syndrome Population  
    Scientists at the Benaroya Research Institute at Virginia Mason (BRI) were recently awarded a one-year grant from the National Institutes of Health to build a Down syndrome (DS) biorepository to research the connection between autoimmune disease and DS. Individuals with DS have up to a 100-fold increased risk of developing an autoimmune disease, however, our understanding of why people with DS are so prone to autoimmunity is limited. This research aims to learn why individuals with DS have increased autoimmunity at the cellular mechanism level, which will benefit both people with and without DS living with autoimmune disease. 

    Digital Journal, September 27, 2018
    Collaborative Study Finds Low-Dose Thymoglobulin Preserves Insulin Production in People Newly Diagnosed With Type 1 Diabetes 
    A TrialNet research study found that low-dose Thymoglobulin slows insulin loss in people newly diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. Year one primary findings were published in the September print edition of Diabetes Care. One year after the start of treatment researchers concluded: 1) Low-dose Thymoglobulin preserved beta cell function and improved insulin production. 2) Low-dose Thymoglobulin combined with Neulasta did not enhance beta cell preservation. 3) Hemoglobin A1c levels significantly lower, indicatig better long-term blood sugar control, in people treated with low-dose Thymoglobulin alone and in people treated with lose-dose Thymoglobulin combined with Neulasta as compared to placebo. Benaroya Research Institute was one of the sites for this study.

    KTVN2 News, September 10, 2018
    Relapsing Polychondritis Sufferers Get a Boost As Non-Profit Organization Continues Major Drive to Accelerate Research and Awareness
    The Relapsing Polychondritis Awareness and Support Foundation Inc. (RPASF) mission is to support research to find a cure for a painful and chronic autoimmune disease that few physicians have heard of – and since July, with its newly elected members, the board of directors has gone all-out to give sufferers hope with a whirlwind of initiatives. The most recent event, Grapes on the Green, took place on August 24 and raised an impressive $500,000 for the Benaroya Research Institute at Virginia Mason (BRI), a world-class autoimmune disease research center in Seattle, WA.
    Additional Coverage: The Daily Telescope, September 17, 2018

    KSAT12 News, September 4, 2018
    Halting Life-Threatening Allergies
    BRI's Erik Wambre's discovery of the Th2A cell could be a big step toward stopping allergies. The cell, which only appears in people with allergies is currently being used as a biomarker of allergy in a study where participants are slowly exposed to the allergen. Next, Dr. Wambre is interested in working to find the molecule that will block the Th2A cells to treat not just one allergy, but all of them.
    Additional Coverage: WNDU16 News, September 11, 2018, 9&10News, September 26, 2018, WINK News, October 22, 2018

    KIRO7 News, August 24, 2018
    Fred Couples headlines 14th annual Boeing Classic
    From the flyover to some of the biggest names in golf, everybody came out to see Seattle native Fred Couples play in the Boeing Classic. The Boeing Classic benefits Benaroya Research Institute of Virginia Mason. 

    King5 News, August 21, 2018
    14th Annual Boeing Classic golf tournament brings PGA Tour Champions to Seattle
    Now in its 14th year, the Boeing Classic kicked off on August 20, with events running through August 26 at The Club at Snoqualmie Ridge. Not only is it a stop on the PGA TOUR Champions schedule, there are activities for kids, a Boeing Jet flyover, and appearances by Pacific Northwest former pro athletes. This year's event benefits Virginia Mason's Benaroya Research Institute, which helps further research efforts that have scientists working to identify causes and find cures for autoimmune diseases.

    The Conversation, July 24, 2018
    New treatment in the works for disfiguring skin disease, vitiligo
    The Immune Tolerance Network (ITN), a program of BRI, is currently developing a clinical trial to test a new treatment for vitiligo, an autoimmune disease in which the immune system attacks pigment containing cells in the skin leading to disfiguring white spots. An important difference with this new therapy is that the repigmentation following treatment lasted for months, suggesting that the IL-15 treatment approach may provide a lasting reversal of vitiligo symptoms. 

    The Guardian, July 9, 2018
    Feeding your baby solids early may help them sleep, study suggests
    Advice on when to introduce babies to solid food has been hotly disputed for years, but new research suggests that earlier is better. A research team from the UK and US, including BRI scientists, looked at data collected as part of a clinical trial exploring whether early introduction of certain foods could reduce the chance of an infant developing an allergy to them. As part of the study the team also looked the impact on other measures, including growth and sleep.

    The results reveal that babies introduced to solids at three months slept, on average, two hours more a week at the age of six months than the babies who were exclusively breastfed until six months. They also woke around two fewer times at night per week at six months and had just over 9% fewer incidents of waking up during the night over the course of the study.

    Daily American, May 28, 2018
    Aimmune Therapeutics Announces New Clinical Data on AR101 for Peanut Allergy at the 2018 EAACI Congress
    Aimmune reports that after approximately one year of treatment (up-dosing and maintenance) in the PALISADE clinical study, clinical reactivity to peanut protein was assessed in an exit double-blind, placebo-controlled food challenge (DBPCFC). The trial met its primary endpoint as 67% of AR101 patients ages 4–17 tolerated at least a 600-mg dose of peanut protein in the exit DBPCFC, compared to 4% of placebo patients (p<0.00001). The lower-bound of the 95% confidence interval (CI) of the difference between treatment arms at the primary endpoint was 53%, greatly exceeding the pre-specified threshold of 15% (p<0.00001).

    New data from the laboratory of Dr. Erik Wambre of the Benaroya Research Institute from a small subset of patients from PALISADE showed that treatment with AR101 was linked to a statistically significant decrease in peanut-specific TH2A cells compared to patients treated with placebo after up-dosing and at the end of the trial 2. These findings and similar results from Aimmune’s ARC001 Phase 2 trial suggest that the clinical responses observed with AR101 treatment are associated with fundamental modulation of T cell subsets that drive the allergic response.

    Lupus News Today, May 25, 2018
    13 Lupus Research Program Winners Share $5M for Work Advancing Disease Understanding and Treatment
    The Department of Defense recently announced the 13 winners of the 2017 Lupus Research Program, who received a combined total of $5 million to fund lupus research projects of both scientific and clinical interest. BRI's Karen Cerosaletti and Adam Lacy-Hulbert recieved Impact awards, which support work focusing on scientific and clinical issues related to lupus and with the potential to be of major impact.

    Healio, May 3, 2018
    New test shows high specificity in diagnosing peanut allergy
    A laboratory test that used children’s plasma in cell activation to diagnose peanut allergy showed 98% specificity, according to recently published study results in The Journal of Allergy & Clinical Immunology.

    The Guardian, May 2, 2018
    Identifying peanut allergies cheaper and easier with new test
    A new blood test could make it much easier and cheaper to identify children with peanut allergies, say scientists. The test, which looks for biomarkers released by mast cells, or white blood cells forming part of the immune system, made a correct diagnosis 98% of the time in a study involving 174 children.

    Nature, April 30, 2018
    Virtual-reality applications give science a new dimension
    Virtual- and augmented-reality tools allow researchers to view and share data as never before. This article highlights a number of early adopters of VR tools, including BRI's Adam Lacy-Hulbert, PhD, who has used the BRI-developed ConfocalVR tool to visualize images of lysosomes taken on the confocal microscopes and determine what was really happening inside the cell. 

    KIRO 7 News, March 20, 2018
    A Breast Cancer Breakthrough in Seattle
    Dave Wagner of KIRO 7 news interviews Steve Zeigler, PhD, and Emma Kuan, PhD, about their discovery that the TSLP protein helps cancer tumors survive and grow. In a manuscript published in Nature Immunology this week, Drs. Zeigler and Kuan found that blocking TSLP can significantly inhibit the growth of breast tumors and stop them from metastasizing to the lung. 

    Puget Sound Business Journal, January 30, 2018
    Benaroya Research Institute snags $5M grant for peanut allergy research
    This article features BRI's recent grant. Jane Buckner, MD, is quoted and pictured. Need subscription to see full story.

    Seattle Business Magazine, January 29, 2018
    Margaret McCormick, PhD
    Margaret McCormick, PhD, has been named chief administrative officer of Benaroya Research Institute at Virginia Mason (BRI), a medical research institute internationally known for discoveries in autoimmune disease, allergy and asthma.

    Geekwire, January 29, 2018
    Benaroya Research Institute awarded $5M grant to study personalized treatments for peanut allergies
    A new study at Seattle’s Benaroya Research Institute, funded by a $5 million grant from the National Institutes of Health, is hoping to answer some of those questions for the 15 million Americans living with peanut allergies.

    Puget Sound Business Journal, January 26, 2018
    Margaret McCormick, PhD, Chief Administrative Officer at Benaroya Research Institute at  Virginia Mason
    Benaroya Research Institute at Virginia Mason (BRI) has named Dr. Margaret McCormick as chief administrative officer. As CAO, she will ensure effective integration and efficient operations across the organization in support of BRI’s mission and strategic goals. 

    Puget Sound Business Journal, December 20, 2017
    Seattle Children's receives $2 million in search for Type 1 diabetes immunotherapy cure
    Dr. David Rawlings and his team at Seattle Chidren's Research Institute in partnership with Benaroya Research Institute have received another $2 million research grant from the Helmsley Charitable Trust to continue efforts to use a persons own immune system as a cure for type 1 diabetes, similar to recently developed immunotherapy cancer treatments.

    WRVO Public Media, December 15, 2017
    When should children be introduced to peanut products?
    This week on Take Care, hosts Lorraine Rapp and Linda Lowen talk with Dr. Gerald Nepom, the emeritus director of Benaroya Research Institute, about the LEAP study and the new guidelines for the introduction of peanut products that might prevent high risk children from developing the allergy.

    Laboratory Equipment, December 14, 2017
    Immunotherapy, Gene Editing Advances Extend to Type 1 Diabetes
    In initial research at Benaroya Research Institute and Seattle Chidrens Research Institute, funded by a $1million grant from the Helmsley Charitable Trust, scientists succeeded in using gene editing to generate human T cells that function as regulatory cells, which moderate the immune system's response. These engineered retulatory T cells were capable of turning off "dangerous" effector T cells. New studies, funded by an additional $2 million from the Helmsley Charitable Trust, will single out the dangerous effector T cells that malfunction and attack the pancrease in type 1 diabetes and turn them into regulatory T cells to treat type 1 diabetes, possibly leading to a long-term cure.

    UC Merced Newsroom, December 11, 2017
    AAAS Fellow Brings Groundbreaking Genetics Research to Campus
    Professor Chris Amemiya is new to UC Merced, but he’s a veteran scientist with a long list of breakthroughs to his name. Amemiya’s discoveries have changed the way scientists understand vertebrate genomes and their evolution, and he was recently elected a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). He is UC Merced’s first biology professor, the second Health Sciences Research Institute (HSRI) affiliate, and fifth faculty member overall to receive this honor. Before coming to UC Merced, he spent 16 years on the faculty of the Benaroya Research Institute in Seattle, where he developed novel methods to study evolution and development (evo-devo).

    Diabetes In Control, December 11, 2017
    Carla Greenbaum Interview
    Dr. Carla Greenbaum explains the mission of her research in relation to efforts to cure type 1 diabetes in a conversation with Diabetes in Control Publisher Steve Freed during the ADA meeting in San Diego, California.

    AXIOS, December 7, 2017
    The race to diminish peanut allergies in kids
    Drug companies are racing to get the FDA's green light for immunotherapies to treat kids with peanut allergies — a breakthrough that might actually reduce their allergies, not just treat an allergic attack when it happens. They're testing everything from oral medicines to skin patches to vaccines and nasal sprays, with some companies hoping their products will reach the market by 2019.  

    There are almost 40 peanut allergy studies underway and listed on clinicaltrials.gov, and nearly 40 others completed recently. This is clearly an unmet need," says Gerald Nepom, member of BRI and director of Immune Tolerance Network, a mostly NIH-funded entity. The only current available remedy for patients is to avoid peanuts and carry an epinephrine shot at all times.

    WebMD, November 21, 2017
    Insulin Pill May Delay Type 1 Diabetes in Some
    Researchers, led by BRI's Carla Greenbaum, MD, tested the effect of insulin pills on 560 children and adults whose relatives had type 1 diabetes. For most of them, the drug had no effect on whether or not they developed type 1 diabetes, or how quickly they developed it. But for those at the highest risk of developing type 1 diabetes sooner rather than later, insulin pill therapy delayed the time it took to develop the full-blown disease by about two-and-a-half years, the researchers said.

    Physician's Weekly, November 21, 2017
    Insulin Doesn't Prevent Diabetes in Relatives of T1DM Patients
    Oral insulin does not delay onset of type 1 diabetes in autoantibody-positive relatives of patients with type 1 diabetes, according to a study published in the Nov. 21 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association. Carla J. Greenbaum, MD, from the Benaroya Research Institute in Seattle, and colleagues enrolled relatives of patients with type 1 diabetes with at least two autoantibodies and randomized them to oral insulin or placebo. The main study group included 389 patients with first-phase insulin release on an intravenous glucose tolerance test that was higher than threshold, while 55 patients in the secondary stratum 1 had first-phase insulin release that was lower than threshold.

    The researchers found that diabetes was diagnosed in 28.5 and 33.0 percent of participants in the oral insulin and placebo groups, respectively, in the main study group during a median follow-up of 2.7 years, with no significant between-group difference in the time to diabetes. Diabetes was diagnosed in 48.1 and 70.3 percent of the oral insulin and placebo groups, respectively, in secondary stratum 1; the time to diabetes was significantly longer for the oral insulin group.

    Allergic Living, November 7, 2017
    A Gathering of Food Allergy Minds: From Latest Research to Patient Stresses
    In late October, physicians, scientists, advocacy organzations and patient respresentatitves got together in an inspiring collaboration at the International Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Alliance (IFAAA) meeting in London, England. The program covered the emerging understanding of food allergy as a disease, the vital need to ratchet up research efforts and find more therapy approaches, emerging allergens, travel accommodations, the psychological issues of living with food allergies – and even whether related cognitive behavioral therapy (or CBT) could be approached in an online format. 

    One of the meetings speakers was Erik Wambre, PhD, from BRI who discussed his recent discovery of a key group of cells - dubbed Th2A cells - that are only present in people with allergies. Wambre drew a brilliant analogy to the Star Wars movies to help explain his research. He said to think of IgE antibodies involved in the allergic response as representing Imperial forces troopers. Even though the troopers are destroyed in each of the Star Wars films, they come back – as evidenced with the release of the next episode. Why? The main reason is that there is still a Dark Force out there. Wambre describes his research as focusing on fighting the force, not the (IgE) soldiers. This gave an intriguing sense of how allergy researchers have to stay mindful of the bigger picture with this multifactorial disease.

    GeekWire, November 6, 2017
    How Virtual Reality is Helping Scientist Make New Discoveries about our Health 
    Scientists at BRI are looking for new ways to treat diseases like multiple sclerosis and type 1 diabetes. To do that they spend a lot of time taking pictures of tiny, tiny cells through a microscope, then trying to imagine those images in three dimensions. BRI's research technology team members can now build full 3D models of the cells that scientists are studying using data from microscopes  - in virtual reality. The program lets scientist control and manipulate the images to glean more insights. This is one of the many ways that virtual and augmented reality are making waves in the world of medicine and medical research.

    Nasdaq.com, October 22, 2017
    New Research Could Change the Way Doctors Treat Allergies 
    Allergies affect more than 50 million people in the United States but a groundbreaking discovery at the Benaroya Research Institute at Virginia Mason could mean a trajectory shift in treatment.

    Q13FOX, October 22, 2017
    Research discovery could ease lives of allergy sufferers
    BRI Researchers hasve discovered a single type of cell tha they say appears to drive all allergies, whether they are food allergies or environmental. The cell has the name TH2A and the discovery could mean that allergy sufferers won't hav eto rely on daily medicine to fight allergies. 

    Virginia Mason News, October 16, 2017
    Virginia Mason Celebrates Team's Creativity at Innovation Expo Oct. 18
    BRI's Tom Skillman presented a virtual reality demo developed at BRI during Virginia Mason's second annual Innovation Expo - showing how BRI researchers are masterfully using virtual reality to fight autoimmune diseases, allergies, and asthma.

    Puget Sound Business Journal, August 28, 2017
    Virginia Mason's Grapes on the Green raised $500,000 for Benaroya Research Institution (Photos)
    The wine was flowing on a perfect summer evening at the Golf Club at Newcastle as community leaders partied to support vital research to wipe out 80 autoimmune diseases.

    Allergy Discovery

    Interesting Engineering, August 31, 2017
    Scientists figured out which cells trigger your allergies
    A research team from Seattle hopes to help millions say goodbye to watery eyes and runny noses of allergy season. They isolated the cells that trigger our bodies' reactions to allergens, and hope to one day be able to block those responses entirely.

    Allergic Living, August 22, 2017
    Q&A on Allergy Cell Finding: Targeting Therapies and Predicting Symptoms to Foods
    A discovery by scientists from Benaroya Research Institute in Seattle is being heralded as a breakthrough that could change how allergies are identified and treated. The study, published in Science Translational Medicine in August, shows there is a key group of cells – dubbed Th2a cells – only present in people with allergies. We spoke to lead researcher Erik Wambre, PhD, to find out more about his promising findings.

    American Pharmacy News, August 15, 2017
    Aimmune Therapeutics posits tentative peanut allergy answer
    A trial treatment for peanut allergy has attracted attention in the media, with a recent Washington state publication highlighting California-based Aimmune Therapeutics Inc.’s “AR101” as a potential immunotherapy with the ability to impact allergen-specific T cells.

    Benaroya Research Institute at Virginia Mason, a Seattle nonprofit focused on autoimmune disease research, reported that Aimmune’s investigational therapy targets an immune cell subset called TH2A cells — potentially desensitizing patients to the allergy — in its Aug. 2 issue of "Science Translational Medicine."

    Morningstar Report, August 8, 2017
    Aimmune Therapeutics' Investigational Treatment for Peanut Allergy Featured in Science Translational Medicine Publication on Discovery of New TH2 Cell Subset Specific to Allergy
    Aimmune Therapeutics, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company developing treatments for life-threatening food allergies, today announced that its investigational treatment for peanut allergy, AR101, was highlighted in a recent publication by Benaroya Research Institute at Virginia Mason focused on the discovery of an immune cell subset - TH2A cells - that appears to be involved in the pathogenesis of allergies. These allergen-specific T cells are present in people with allergies but nearly entirely absent from people without allergies.

    South China Morning Post, August 7, 2017
    Better treatment for allergies, and perhaps even a cure - US researchers have big hopes for their immune-cell discovery
    Scientists find way to tell ‘bad’ immune cells that trigger allergic reactions from ‘good’ cells that fight infection, and show it is possible to rid the body of the ‘bad’ ones. Allergy sufferers know the drill: eyes that itch and water; sneezes that won’t stop; the fear that a hidden morsel of peanut will trigger a life-or-death crisis. Over-the-counter drugs and allergy shots deliver relief to some people, but not others. Now, a discovery by US researchers holds out the hope of better diagnosis and treatment for allergies of all types – and may even lead to a cure someday.

    Stuff.co.nz, August 6, 2017
    Allergy cure could be on the way after major scientific breakthrough
    The itchy eyes and dripping sinuses experienced by hundreds of thousands of Kiwi allergy sufferers could soon be a thing of the past. Researchers in the United States are holding out hope of better diagnosis and treatment for allergies of all types — and may even lead to a cure someday. A team from the Benaroya Research Institute in Seattle have discovered a way to distinguish harmful immune-system cells that trigger allergies from the body's good immune cells that fight infection.

    KIRO7, August 4, 2017
    Local research work identifies cells that cause your allergies, may eventually treat them
    New parents may not find out their baby has a food allergy until they make that frantic trip to the emergency room. Now, with work done by Dr. Erik Wambre at the Benaroya Research Institute at Virginia Mason, researchers have zeroed in on the T-cells in your body that indicate you have an allergic response.

    GeekWire, August 3, 2017
    Scientists discover cell that causes allergies and could revolutionize how we treat them
    Anyone with allergies can tell you how miserable they can be. From annoying seasonal sniffles to life-threatening food allergies, they affect an estimated 50 million people in the U.S. alone, and we still don’t know exactly how they work. But scientists at Seattle’s Benaroya Research Institute seem to have found the key: a kind of cell that only people with allergies have. The cell is a specialized form of Th2, an immune cell that helps the body fight off invaders like bacteria or viruses. It’s also the cell that causes allergic reactions when the body tries to fight off allergens like pollen, peanuts or pet dander.

    WebMD, August 2, 2017
    Scientists Track Cells That Spur Allergies
    Scientists report they've pinpointed which immune system cells trigger allergies. The discovery may someday lead to a blood test that improves treatment, they suggest. These cells "represent a common enemy to every allergic individual that we can now easily track," said study author Erik Wambre. He's an immunology researcher at Seattle's Benaroya Research Institute at Virginia Mason.

    Seattle Times, August 2, 2017
    Got allergies? Seattle discovery could improve treatment — and possibly lead to cure
    A discovery by Seattle researchers holds out the hope of better diagnosis and treatment for allergies of all types — and may even lead to a cure someday. Led by researchers at Virginia Mason’s Benaroya Research Institute, the Seattle team is the first to find a way to distinguish the “bad” immune-system cells that trigger allergies from “good” immune cells that fight infection. They also showed that effective allergy therapy banishes the bad cells from the body.

    Science, August 2, 2017
    Got allergies? Scientists may have finally pinpointed the cells that trigger reactions
    A new study nails down the specific group of cells that orchestrates allergic reactions, a result that could help scientists determine not only why some people have allergies, but also how to block them. Erik Wambre, PhD, and researchers at BRI discovered the cells and reported their work in Science Translational Medicine published today.

    Chemical and Engineering News, August 2, 2017
    People with allergies have special set of immune cells, researchers find
    People with allergies sneeze, wheeze and scratch because their immune systems have added pollen, dust, mold, or other allergens to the list of foreign threats to attack. Researchers now report a distinct group of human immune cells that are associated with those allergic reactions. These cells could act as biomarkers for the effectiveness of allergy therapies while also providing possible new drug targets. 

    Health, August 2, 2017
    Scientists Gain Insight Into Allergies
    Scientists report they've pinpointed which immune system cells trigger allergies. The discovery may someday lead to a blood test that improves treatment, they suggest. These cells "represent a common enemy to every allergic individual that we can now easily track," said study author Erik Wambre. He's an immunology researcher at Seattle's Benaroya Research Institute at Virginia Mason.

    Q13 Fox, July 24, 2017
    Type 1 diabetes rates especially high in the Pacific Northwest 
    Jennifer Benton, a mother to 20-month-old Kalia has perfected a routine for testing Kalia's blood sugar. It's a routine repeated 10 times a day, that started on June 30, 2017 when Kalia was rushed to the emergency room at Children's Hospital in Seattle. Her blood sugar levels were above 600, almost six times the normal level. After days in the intensive care unit, she was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes.

    Dr. Jane Buckner who has been studying autoimmune disease for more than 20 years says genetics to play apart, but that it is not the whole story. She says research has shows people of northern European decent have a higher rate of type 1 diabetes, and although there are no clear answers as to why. Buckner says people living in the northwest also have an increased risk of type 1 diabetes along with other autoimmune diseases. Environmental factors are also a key focus on research and how they contribute to autoimmune disease.

    Healio, June 15, 2017
    Oral insulin therapy fails to prevent type 1 diabetes, but some see disease delay
    In adults with two or more antibodies predicting the development of type 1 diabetes, treatment with daily oral insulin therapy did not prevent development of the disease, but a small subset experienced a 31-month delay in clinical diabetes development.

    Diabetes.com.uk, June 15, 2017
    Oral insulin trial fails to meet endpoint, but could help delay type 1 diabetes
    Oral insulin has shown to be unsuccessful in preventing the development of type 1 diabetes in a new trial, but it did help delay the onset. The trial found that oral insulin led to some people experiencing a 31-month delay in the clinical development of type 1 diabetes, a finding hailed as "dramatic" by researchers.

    EurekAlert!, March 30, 2017
    Lupus Researchc Alliance Novel Research Grant push discoveries
    The Lupus Research Alliance announced today the Novel Research Grant Class of 2017. BRI's Mridu Acharya, PhD, was awarded a grant for her work on proteins that normally work together to prevent B cells from attacking patients' cells. She is working with human B Cells to investigate why these proteins fail to put on the brakes in lupus and will investigate potential new treatments to get them working properly again.

    StreetInsider.com, March 16, 2017
    'Patient lives are at stake,' Fred Hutch president says of 'devastating' Trump cuts
    President Donald Trump’s 2018 budget proposal slashes funding by 18 percent for the National Institutes of Health, a critical funding source for Seattle's world-renowned research centers.

    Thanks in large part to organizations like the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, the University of Washington and Benaroya Research Institute, Washington state and the Pacific Northwest have become known as the place where groundbreaking cancer research is done. Those researchers depend on funding from the NIH. Washington state ranks No. 8 in the nation for the amount of funding that comes from the NIH, receiving a total of $952.8 million in 2016.

    StreetInsider.com, March 6, 2017
    Aimmune Therapeutics (AIMT) Presents Data on Phase 3 Screening and Phase 2 Adherence for AR101 for Peanut Allergy at AAAAI
    Aimmune Therapeutics, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company developing treatments for life-threatening food allergies, announced clinical data presented today at the 2017 American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI) Annual Meeting in Atlanta. The presentations included Phase 3 screening data and Phase 2 adherence data from Aimmune’s AR101 program. AR101 is Aimmune’s investigational biologic oral immunotherapy for desensitization of patients with peanut allergy. Also at the AAAAI meeting, Blake Rust, Ph.D., and Erik Wambre, Ph.D., of the Benaroya Research Institute at Virginia Mason (BRI) presented data on peanut-specific effector and regulatory T cells in a blinded subset of samples from patients screened for PALISADE. 

    Yahoo Finance, March 4, 2017
    AnaptysBio Announces Data from Scientific Collaboration with the Benaroya Research Institute Presented at the AAAAI 2017 Annual Meeting
    AnaptysBio, Inc. (ANAB), a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing first-in-class antibody product candidates focused on unmet medical needs in inflammation, today announced that its scientific collaborators at the Benaroya Research Institute at Virginia Mason (BRI) have presented a translational research study entitled “Role of IL-33 in modulating human allergen-specific pathogenic CD4+T Cell responses,” at the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (AAAAI) 2017 Annual Meeting.

    This study, conducted in the laboratory of Dr. Erik Wambre at BRI, assessed the biology of a distinct subset of T cells, called TH2A cells, which are found in elevated frequency in peanut allergic patients when compared to non-allergic individuals. The research concluded that IL-33 is a key checkpoint of allergic responses, and blocking IL-33 has the potential to reduce expression of the effector cytokines involved in severe peanut allergy.

    Crosscut.com, January 30, 2017
    A Northwest medical mystery — and the hunt for answers
    Scientists don’t know why, exactly, autoimmune diseases are becoming more common. They don’t know why exactly we’re more prone to autoimmune diseases in the Pacific Northwest, or sometimes even how to quickly and accurately diagnose them. Which is why every Tuesday morning when Dr. Jane Buckner makes her weekly visit to her clinic in Seattle’s First Hill neighborhood, she braces herself for questions to which she might not know the answer. Starting with the very basics: “What’s wrong with me?”

    Buckner is a rheumatologist and also the director of the Benaroya Research Institute at Virginia Mason, a Seattle-based organization dedicated to researching the full suite of over 80 types of autoimmune diseases. By examining autoimmune diseases with particular attention to their similarities, rather than their differences, Benaroya has found its way to the cutting edge of immunology research.

    Puget Sound Business Journal, January 6, 2017
    51 New Seattle-area CEOs
    Dr. Jane Buckner, president of the Benaroya Research Institute at Virginia Mason: Buckner was at Benaroya for 16 years before replacing Dr. Gerald Nepom as president, previously serving as assitant director. She has been recognized for her research on genetic causes of auto-immune diseases.

    Puget Sound Business Journal, January 6, 2017
    People in Research: Benaroya's immunology director pursues and important molecule
    A coin flip started Steven Ziegler's long career studying an underlying factor in allergies, asthma and eczema. The data Ziegler has collected on the molecule, called TSLP, has been shared with biopharmaceutical giant Amgen over the years, which now has a drug to block TSLP function going through a phase 2 trial.

    CNN, January 5, 2017
    New peanut allergy prevention guidelines start in infancy
    New peanut allergy prevention guidelines were created by an expert panel from the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Academy of Family Physicians, the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology in conjunction with the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. The new guidlelines are based on the These new guidelines are based on the results of the LEAP (Learning Early About Peanut) study. The study  was conducted by the Immune Tolerance Network (ITN), which is BRI's largest program, and made news back in February of 2015. In this article, Jerry Nepom, MD, PhD, BRI member and ITN director, discusses the significance of the LEAP study. 

    Puget Sound Business Journal, December 6, 2016
    People in Research: Lynn Rose manages Benaroya partnerships with drug makers
    The collaboration between research institutions and pharmaceutical companies is unknown to many, but Lynn Rose says those relationships are critical to getting a drug in a bottle and ready for patients. As pharmaceutical companies reduce their research and development workforces, they are increasingly partnering with research institutes to help with the early stages of development. This, Rose said, allows the drug companies to do what they do best: clinical trials and product development.

    FierceBiotech.com, November 18, 2016
    Tired T cells hamper cancer treatment, but could be a boon for diabetes drug
    While T cell exhaustion can hinder cancer treatments, a Benaroya Research Institute-led team has discovered that T cell fatigue may potentially boost therapies for diabetes and other autoimmune diseases. Immune T cells burn out and become less effective when they are overworked, so scientists working on cancer immunotherapies are seeking to bypass this phenomenon. But a new study found that T cells with similar qualities to fatigued T cells are associated with a positive response to the diabetes drug Teplizumab.

    TheVerge.com, November 2, 2016
    Is the future of peanut allergy treatment a wearable patch?
    A new skin patch for treating peanut allergies has been getting a lot of attention. A couple companies are developing therapies designed to blunt dangerous allergic reactions by slowly reducing an allergic person's sensitivity to peanut protein. Though both treatments look promising, there’s still a long way to go, says Gerald Nepom, an immunologist at the Benaroya Research Institute in Washington State. Neither the patch nor the pill are FDA-approved yet, but both have recently wrapped up Phase II clinical trials that assessed the efficacy and safety of the treatments. And both products will now be tested in larger Phase III trials.

    Puget Sound Business Journal, October 21, 2016
    Accelerator Corp. partners with Fred Hutch, UW to spur biotech startup scene
    Accelerator Corp., a Seattle-based investment and management company that focuses on biotech startups, has partnered with the University of Washington’s CoMotion and Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center. Accelerator Corp. will provide Fred Hutch and CoMotion with startup resources to run an early-stage biotech company. Existing research partners in Washington include Benaroya Research Institute, Seattle Children’s Hospital and Washington State University.

    King5 News, October 4, 2016
    $8 million in funding to fight asthma given to local researchers
    The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases has awarded Benaroya Research Institute at Virginia Mason a five-year, $8 million grant to lead a cooperative study on the immune system’s responses to allergens in the lungs. Over the next five years, investigators at BRI, UW Medicine, and Seattle Children’s Research Institute will collaborate to gain insights into the lung epithelium – the interface between the inside of the lung and the outside environment – to inform the development of new treatments and therapies for allergies and asthma. One in four people in the United States are allergic, asthmatic, or both. In this King5 News segment, Steven Ziegler, PhD, discusses the research that he will lead as part of this NIH grant.

    STAT, September 15, 2016
    Lab Chat: How inflammation might drive diabetes
    Dr. Jane Buckner discusses recent findings, published in Science Translational Medicine that suggest the signaling molecule IL-6 may be involved in inflammation that could drive the progression of type 1 diabetes. Scientists at BRI found that when they exposed T cells to IL-6 the T cells changed and became more likely to go into healthy tissue. In type 1 diabetes, that tissue would be the pancreas. Therapeutics that block IL-6 are already used for other diseases and may provide an approach to stop the progression of type 1 diabetes.

    Q13 News, August 25, 2016
    EpiPen price hike drawing local criticism, highlighting need for more research
    Dr. Jane Buckner discusses why more research is so important in light of the recent EpiPen price hike. Currently EpiPens are criticial for those who suffer from allergies. However with new research uncovering why people develop allergies, she hopes that one day we will be able to prevent these diseases or cure them and we won't need to rely on EpiPens. BRI recently recieved an $8 million grant from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases to lead research in this area.

    New Day Northwest King 5, August 25, 2016
    Promising research for food allergies
    BRI's Dr. Erik Wambre and Virginia Mason physician Dr. David Jeong discuss BRI's unique approach to allergy research, the great progress that is being made in understanding how allergies develop and their hope for a future vaccine. 

    Geekwire, August 23, 2016
    New solutions for allergies and asthma? Seattle collaboration lands $8M grant to research treatments
    For those with allergies and asthma, one small particle can mean hours of wheezing, sneezing, and runny eyes and noses. About a quarter of Americans suffer from allergies, asthma, or both, but we still know very little about the origins and mechanics of these conditions.

    A new collaboration between Virginia Mason’s Benaroya Research Institute, Seattle Children’s Research Institute and University of Washington Medicine hopes to change that. The project will study respiratory epithelium, a tissue that lines the inside of our lungs, and may result in new treatments for asthma and allergies.

    Puget Sound Business Journal, August 23, 2016
    Benaroya Research Institute receives $8M to research new asthma treatments
    The Benaroya Research Institute at Virginia Mason has received an $8 million grant to lead a collaborative study that could eventually lead to asthma and allergy treatments.

    Over the next five years, BRI researchers will work with researchers at UW Medicine and Seattle Children's Research Institute to study the immune system's responses to allergens in the lungs, which will inform the development of new treatments and therapies for allergies and asthma.

    Puget Sound Business Journal, August 19, 2016
    People in Research: Personal vendetta fuels scientist’s work
    As early as 8 years old, when anyone asked Eddie James, PhD, what he wanted to do when he grew up, the answer was the same. "I want to be a scientist and do experiments." Unlike many people, James followed through on that young promise and is now one of the foremost researchers at the Beneroya Reserach Institute at Virginia Mason.

    When his dad got sick and was fighting kidney cancer, there was no treatment for it. "It impressed upon me that there are people out there that standard care just can't help. We need therapies and I wanted to be part of it."

    While he "held a grudge" against cancer, his roomate at WSU and niece both had type 1 diabetes, showing him firsthand the "difficulty of managing and living with that disease." That lead him to form a new "personal vendetta" against type 1 diabetes....read more 

    Puget Sound Business Journal, June 8, 2016
    Sen. Murray touts deal to boost medical research funding by $2 billion
    U.S. Sen. Patty Murray says she has nailed down a bipartisan deal to boost funding for the National Institutes of Health next year by $2 billion.

    Because Washington state ranks No. 8 in the nation for the amount of NIH funding it receives, a $2 billion increase could mean a significant bump in funding for the state. In 2015, Washington was awarded $885 million in total funding. It still has to be considered by the full appropriations committee next week, but the agreement was bipartisan, which gives Murray hope it will pass, already announcing the budget has been secured.

    Top regional research facilities such as the University of Washington, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center and the Benaroya Research Institute at Virginia Mason depend on funding from the NIH for support to work on medical innovations.

    Puget Sound Business Journal, June 3, 2016
    People in Research: Dr. James Lord Takes 17,000 Steps Toward a Cure
    From a research perspective, cancer and autoimmune diseases like IBD are not that far apart - both involve studying people's own immune systems. In cancer, researchers are figuring out how to use the immune system to attack a person's own tumor. With autoimmune diseases, researchers are trying to find ways to prevent the immune system from attacking a person - "opposite sides of the same coin," Lord said. 

    Lord started at Benaroya Research Institute at Virginia Mason in 2010 and is the founder of the institute's inflammatory bowel disease biorepository, where he has collected more than 17,000 samples that will help researchers answer questions that could one day lead to a cure for diseases such as IBD. 

    Seattle Magazine, June, 2016 issue
    Research Alters Allergy Approach
    A new study published in The New England Journal of Medicine, designed and funded in Seattle by Benaroya Research Institute at Virginia Mason and the Immune Tolerance Network, indicates that feeding peanuts to infants at risk of developing an allergy to peanuts can help prevent allergy development, even after those infants stop eating peanuts. This study is an extension of last year’s landmark LEAP (Learning Early About Peanut Allergy) study, which showed that early consumption of peanuts by infants with existing food sensitivities reduced the rate of developing peanut allergy by 80 percent. The research is altering the way physicians approach this life-threatening allergy.

    BuisinessWire.com, May 16, 2016
    Aimmune Therapeutics Announces First Quarter 2016 Financial Results and Provides Corporate Update
    As part of Aimmune Therapeutics research retreat and quarterly corportate update, Erik Wambre, PhD, of Benaroya Research Institute presented recent research from his lab focusing on peanut specific Th2 lymphocytes. His talk included data from a small pilot study of participants in Aimmune’s Phase 2 trials, which he previously presented at AAAAI in March. In these preliminary studies, activated peanut-specific Th2 cells were greatly reduced in the blood of subjects receiving AR101, the company's lead product candidate, but not placebo, suggesting that AR101 specifically modulated key lymphocyte populations responsible for peanut allergy. Aimmune and BRI have an ongoing partnership and plan to expand these and other related studies during the Phase 3 PALISADE trial, with generous support from the Immune Tolerance Network.

    DailyMail.com, May 16, 2016
    Jelly Gives Sharks Their Deadly Supersense: Conductive Material Under Predators' Skin Helps Them Detect Their Prey's Movements 
    Sharks, skates, and rays can sense their prey by detecting electric fields. This involves an unusual set of organs known as the ampullae of Lorenzini. These organs contain a clear viscous jelly, which has now been studied. The jelly can conduct protons better than any known biological material. This discovery was published on May 13 in Science Advances, by a team of researchers from UC Santa Cruz, University of Washington, and Chris Amemiya, PhD, the Benaroya Research Institute at Virginia Mason.

    The Rheumatologist, May 13, 2016
    Rheumatolotists on the Move: Benaroya Research Institute Names New President 
    Jane Buckner, MD, is the new president of the Benaroya Research Institute (BRI) at Virginia Mason in Seattle. While she continues to see patients one day a week and work with her research group, as president, she says she “will work with the faculty to be sure they have what they need. I have the opportunity to step back and think more broadly. Do we need new technology or new people to make BRI better? All the science should be directed to what’s important to patients. The ultimate goal is to help patients.” 

    Phys.org, May 13, 2016
    Proton-Conducting Material Found in Electrosensory Organs of Sharks
    In a new study, published May 13 in Science Advances, a team of researchers from UC Santa Cruz, University of Washington, and Chris Amemiya, PhD, the Benaroya Research Institute at Virginia Mason investigated the properties of this jelly. They found that the jelly is a remarkable proton-conducting material, with the highest proton conductivity ever reported for a biological material. Its conductivity is only 40 times lower than the current state-of-the-art proton-conducting polymer (Nafion). The new findings may be of interest to researchers in materials science and other fields. An animation about the discovery produced by the American Association for the Advancement of Science is available at IBDTimes.co.uk.

    Puget Sound Business Journal, May 6, 2016
    People in Research: Moon Landing Inspired Her to Chase Diabetes Cure
    Knowing that the Benaroya Research Institute at Virginia Mason in Seattle is the place to "understand what causes autoimmune diseases and learn targets to treat people," Greenbaum started with the nonprofit in 2000. She has been the director of the diabetes program there since 2005 and in her work now focuses mainly on type 1 diabetes.

    Currently, the only treatment for type 1 diabetes is to give insulin to patients because their bodies cannot produce it. She is working on finding ways to prevent and cure type 1 diabetes. 

    Morningstar, Apr. 11, 2016
    Aimmune Therapeutics Presents Data on Biomarkers and Potential to Predict Response to Peanut Allergy Treatment with AR101
    Erik Wambre, PhD, of the Benaroya Research Institute (BRI) discussed research from his lab focusing on peanut-specific Th2 lymphocytes in a presentation at the annual Food Allergy Research and Education (FARE) Research Retreat. His talk included data from a small pilot study of participants in Aimmune’s Phase 2 trials. In these preliminary studies, activated peanut-specific Th2 cells were greatly reduced in the blood of subjects receiving active treatment, but not placebo, suggesting that AR101 specifically modulated key lymphocyte populations responsible for peanut allergy. 

    FinancialContent.com, Apr. 7, 2016
    Helmsley Charitable Trust Awards $2.1 Million to Penn, Stanford and Seattle Children's Research Institute to Explore Cell-Based Therapies for Type 1 Diabetes
    The Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) Program of The Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust has announced $2.1 million in grants to support research toward the creation of new T1D-specific cell therapies that could help delay or halt the progression of the disease. The new investment will support three complementary projects at the University of Pennsylvania, Stanford University and Seattle Children's Research Institute, which will collaborate with the Benaroya Research Institute.

    On The Pulse, Mar. 22, 2016
    Researchers Work Toward New Type 1 Diabetes Therapies For Patients Like Juliana
    A new $1 million grant from The Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust will get doctors and scientists at BRI in collaboration with Seattle Children’s Research Institute one step closer to better treatment for type 1 diabetes by studying the use of immunotherapy to treat the condition. 

    Today.com, Mar. 4, 2016
    Feeding kids peanuts prevents allergies long-term, study shows
    A bold and controversial experiment that showed feeding peanuts to babies and young children could protect them from developing allergies later has shown long-term effects, doctors reported Friday. The children were largely protected a year after stopping peanuts. The study was conducted by the Immune Tolerance Network, which is led by BRI.

    Puget Sound Business Journal, Mar. 3, 2016
    Sen Murray introduces bill to restore medical research funding 
    Sen. Patty Murray, D-Washington, introduced a bill Thursday to create a new funding stream for the National Institutes of Health and the Food & Drug Administration in an effort to restore medical research funding around the country. Her plan is to create the National Biomedical Research Act that would provide $5 billion per year for select initiatives at the NIH and FDA, bringing the budget back up to where it was before.

    National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Jan. 25, 2015
    Selected NIAID Research Advances of 2015
    BRI leads the Immune Tolerance Network (ITN). The ITN’s LEAP and HALT-MS trials were included as two of the 15 highlighted topics in NIAID’s selected research advances for 2015.

    New Day Northwest, Sept. 24, 2015
    Can pregnancy and Multiple Sclerosis go together? 
    Mariko Kita, MD, Director, Virginia Mason Multpile Sclerosis Center and Clinical Investigator at BRI, discusses Multiple Sclerosis and the general worries that come with it. Dr. Kita explains that pregnancy and MS can go together, and can actually benefit the patient.

    The Rhuematologist, Sept. 15, 2015
    Rheumatologists on the Move, September, 2015
    After 30 years, Gerald Nepom, MD, will leave his post as director of Benaroya Research Institute (BRI) Virginia Mason in Seattle. Dr. Nepom is credited with leading the institute in international prominence through research into rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, multiple sclerosis, allergies and other immune-system disorders.

    Stanford Medicine News Center, Sep. 14, 2015
    Drug Prevents Type 1 Diabetes in Mice
    A compound that blocks the synthesis of hyaluronan, a substance generally found in in all body tissue, protected mice from getting type 1 diabetes. The study was performed in collaboration with scientists at the Benaroya Research Institute under the direction of matrix biologist Thomas Wight, PhD, whose group Bollyky was associated with when the work began.

    Puget Sound Business Journal, Aug. 25, 2015
    The wine was flowing, helped raise $435,000 for Benaroya Research Institute at Virginia Mason 
    Warm and balmy, Aug. 21 was a perfect Friday evening for the Virginia Mason Foundation’s annual “Grapes on the Green,” a wine-centric, summer fundraiser for the Benaroya Research Institute at Virginia Mason. BRI is an international leader in immune system and autoimmune disease research.

    New Day Northwest, Aug. 21, 2015
    Why are Autoimmune Diseases so Prevalent in Women? 
    BRI Associate Director, Jane Buckner, MD, discusses autoimmune diseases; who is most vulnerable and possible cures.

    Seattle Magazine, July 13, 2015
    Why BRI is a Global Leader in Immune System Research
    One in 20 Americans suffers from an autoimmune disease, such as multiple sclerosis or type 1 diabetes. Treating these patients was a founding goal of the immunology program at Benaroya Research Institute (BRI), which began 30 years ago under the guidance of Dr. Gerald Nepom. Now BRI is a global leader in immune system research, and in 2014 became the home of the Immune Tolerance Network, an international clinical research consortium with 178 sites worldwide.

    PM360, July 7, 2015
    ADA: Alefacept slows progress of type 1 diabetes 15 months post-treatment
    BRI and Immune Tolerance Network (ITN) Director Gerald Nepom, MD, PhD, discusses an ITN study of Alefacept, an immunosuppressive biologic drug that appears to stem the progression of new-onset type 1 diabetes more than a year after therapy is stopped.

    Puget Sound Business Journal, June 26, 2015
    Meet new Benaroya boss: Buckner aims to expand auto-immune research
    Dr. Jane Buckner learned from a legend. Now she’s preparing to replace him. Buckner will become president of Benaroya Research Institute at Virginia Mason at the end of this year, replacing Dr. Gerald Nepom.

    Puget Sound Business Journal, June 22, 2015
    Longtime Benaroya Research Institute boss to step down
    Dr. Gerald Nepom will retire as director of Benaroya Research Institute at Virginia Mason at the end of this year. Nepom, who led the Seattle-based organization for 30 years, grew the institute into international prominence by leading research efforts into diabetes, multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, allergies and other immune-system disorders. He will be replaced by Dr. Jane Buckner, who is now the institute’s associate director. She has been with the organization for 16 years.

    Business Day, June 11, 2015
    Arthritis Drug Could Help Diabetics Too
    A BRI clininical trial, EXTEND, is testing whether a blockbuster arthritis drug can take on an even more dangerous disease: diabetes.

    broadwayworld.com, June 4, 2015
    Relapsing Polychondritis Awareness Foundation Releases Documentary 'RP The Ride of My Life'
    The Relapsing Polychondritis Awareness and Support Foundation is proud to release its first documentary, "RP The Ride of My Life," chronicling one woman's journey to live life with purpose while suffering from Relapsing Polychondritis (RP), a rare autoimmune disease.

    faccpnw.wix.com, May 21, 2015
    Erik Wambre, PhD, wins 2015 Innovation Award from The French-American Chamber of Commerce of the Pacific Northwest
    On Friday, May 15, At the First Annual French-American Business Awards Pacific Northwest, Erik Wambre, PhD, was presented with their Innovation Award, which recognizes an individual or company for a specific innovative service or product launched in 2010 or later, in any sector. 

    Digitaljournal.com, May 11, 2015
    The Seattle Food Allergy Consortium Issues New Allergist Guidelines For Parents on Early Introduction of Peanuts to Help Prevent Peanut Allergy
    The LEAP study findings strongly suggest pediatricians and parents need to change course and evaluate the benefit of "careful" early introduction of peanuts. To help with this process SeaFAC has issues a new set of parent guidelines to discuss with their pediatrician.

    SwissInfo.ch, April 9, 2015
    Roche's Arthritis Blockbuster Seen Holding Promise for Diabetes
    Researchers at Benaroya Research Institute are testing Roche's Actemra (tocilizumab) in a new clinical trial to see whether the antibody-based therapy can help people with type 1 diabetes stop their body from attacking insulin-making cells.

    Healthline, March 26, 2015
    New Living BtioBank Matched Diabetes Patients with Researchers
    Thanks to the new Living BioBank, established by the nonprofit T1D Exchange, finding clinical research to participate in can be as easy as filling out an online survey, and then being matched with trials for which you are best suited. The Living BioBank has its "base of operations," so to speak, at the Benaroya Research Institute at Virginia Mason in Seattle, WA -- meaning that's where participant enrollment is centralized, along with test kit sample collection and distribution to investigators around the U.S. 

    Seattle Magazine, February, 2015
    Immunotherapy Research is Rebooting Seattle's Biotech Sector
    Immune system research has always been an area of strength in Seattle and the immunotherapy market is booming. At the Benaroya Research Institute (BRI) at Virginia Mason, scientists are using immunotherapy to target type 1 diabetes, multiple sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis.

    Healio.com, Jan 19, 2015
    Conference aims at consensus strategy for developing disease-modifying therapies for children with type 1 diabetes
    Researchers, ethicists and regulators attending a consensus conference agree that developing disease-modifying therapies for children with type 1 diabetes may require different clinical trial and approval pathways.

    MedlinePlus.com, Dec. 30, 2014
    1 in 3 People With Type 1 Diabetes Still Produce Insulin, Study Says
    Although it's widely accepted that people with type 1 diabetes produce no insulin, a new study suggests otherwise: Roughly one-third produce the hormone long after they are diagnosed. Residual insulin production can last for more than four decades, researchers reported recently in the journal Diabetes Care. Their findings could help avoid the misdiagnosis of type 1 diabetes as the more common type 2 diabetes and improve treatments for blood sugar control, they suggested. Authors include BRI's Diabetes Program Director Carla Greenbaum, MD, and T1D Exchange Program Manager at BRI Asa David, PhD. See the press release. 

    MSNNewsChannel.com, Dec. 24, 2014
    Researchers Identify Biomarker and Potential Therapy Target in MS
    Researchers from Benaroya Research Institute at Virginia Mason (BRI) have found that proteins in the IL-6 signaling pathway may be leveraged as novel biomarkers of multiple sclerosis (MS) to gauge disease activity and as a target for new therapies.

    Seattle Business, December 2014
    "Immunotherapy research is rebooting Seattle’s biotech sector. It might even save your life."
    The potential for immunotherapy to provide a cure extends far beyond cancer. At BRI, scientists are using immunotherapy to target Type 1 diabetes, multiple sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis.

    Northwest Association of Biomedical Research Blog, Nov. 6, 2014
    "Our Biotech Future"
    In this blog, Ken Gordon, Executive Director of the Northwest Association of Biomedical Research, talks about the importance of research to the Pacific Northwest and the inspiring work that BRI is doing.

    Medical Daily, Nov. 3, 2015
    "An Exploration Of Food Allergies Reveals The Link Between Inflamed Skin, GI Inflammation, And Food Reactions"
    A new study by BRI researcher Steven Ziegler, PhD, suggests proteins in food may be responsible for causing inflamed skin, and so an overall link exists between skin sensitization, gastrointestinal inflammation, and food reactions. 

    Puget Sound Business Journal, Oct. 13, 2014

    “Bid 'achoo' adieu: Virginia Mason lands $2.2M grant to eliminate allergies”
    Annie Zak reported Benaroya Research Institute at Virginia Mason received a federal grant from the National Institutes of Health for $2.2 million last week to find a biomarker that triggers allergies.

    KUOW Radio, NPR, Oct. 2, 2014
    "Is King County More Prepared for Eblola? Officials Say Yes"
    BRI researcher Adam Lacy-Hulbert, PhD, is interviewed regarding his research on ebola and infectious diseases.  He explains his grant to research the basic mechanisms of how viruses get into cells and what drugs could counter this process. 

    Puget Sound Business Journal, Aug. 26, 2014
    “Grapes on Green brings in record green for Benaroya Research Insitute at Virginia Mason”
    Patti Payne wrote: “The wine flowed, a bagpipe wailed and the bright sun left red streaks on the horizon as a crowd of several hundred people gathered for the Virginia Mason Foundation’s annual Grapes on the Green dinner auction at the Golf Club at Newcastle. This year, the popular event brought in a record $555,000 and counting for the Benaroya Research Institute (BRI) at Virginia Mason.”

    New Day Northwest, Aug. 14, 2014
    The Boeing Classic benefitting autoimmune disease research 
    BRI researcher, Dan Campbell, PhD, and Lauren Lippincott, who has five autoimmune diseases, discuss the genetic connections between diseases and how research is progressing.

    Puget Sound Business Journal, Aug. 13, 2014
    MultiCare, Virginia Mason land $4.2 million grant to expand cancer clinical trials
    Tacoma’s MultiCare Health System and Virginia Mason in Seattle (BRI's clinical research program) have received a $4.2 million grant to launch the Northwest NCI Community Oncology Research Program to expand cancer treatment trials in Washington, Idaho and Alaska.

    Accelerator Corporation, July 29, 2014
    Accelerator Corporation Secures $51.1 Million to Support Research
    In Seattle, Accelerator has expanded its partners beyond the Institute for Systems Biology to include Benaroya Research Institute at Virginia Mason, Infectious Disease Research Institute (IDRI), Pacific Northwest Diabetes Research Institute, Puget Sound Blood Center Research Institute, Seattle BioMed, Seattle Children's Research Institute and Washington State University. Collectively, these institutions will provide Accelerator companies with unparalleled access to technology development capabilities and scientific expertise.

    Puget Sound Business Journal, May 7, 2014
    Seattle heavyweights take a shot at allergy research
    BRI is a part of the Seattle Food Allergy Consortium (SeaFAC), a newly established network of researchers focused on food allergies. The organization will work to attract food allergy clinical trials, as well as federal and private funding to this region.

    Q13 FOX News, Apr. 18, 2014
    Health Tips: The true necessity of those who need Gluten free
    Elisa Boden, MD, BRI clinical researcher was interviewed about celiac disease for the Q13 FOX Medical Desk at Virginia Mason.

    Q13 FOX News, Mar. 10, 2014
    Health Tips: Simple warning signs that point to MS
    Mariko Kita, MD, BRI clinical researcher was interviewed about multiple sclerosis for the Q13 FOX Medical Desk at Virginia Mason.

    Northwest Asian Weekly, Feb. 22-28, 2013
    Women Honored for Healthcare Service
    Mariko Kita, MD, BRI clinical researcher and director of the Virginia Mason Multiple Sclerosis Center and Sarah Patterson, chief operating officer of Virginia Mason Medical Center, were honored for their healthcare service. 

    King 5 News, Feb. 19, 2014
    A Painless Alternative to Standard Liver Biopsy
    Patient Darryl Schmidt and Kris Kowdley, MD, BRI clinical researchers and director, Liver Center of Excellence, were featured in this HealthLink story about fibroscan technology. Virginia Mason is the first in the area to offer the fibroscan.

    Biochemist, February 2014
    An Ancient Mariner: Biological Implications of the coelacanth genome
    Chris Amemiya, PhD, BRI Director of Molecular Genetics, discusses the recent sequencing of the coelacanth genome that has enabled insights into the fin–limb transition and the origin of terrestriality.

    425 Magazine, Jan. - Feb. 2014
    Inside Immunology: Coming together to help fight autoimmune diseases
    Margo Greenman explains autoimmune diseases and describes the Inside Immunology tours at BRI.

    Puget Sound Business Journal, Jan. 23, 2014
    Benaroya Research Institute wins grant to lead international immune research effort
    Valerie Bauman reports on the grant from the National Institutes of Health for BRI to lead the Immune Tolerance Network.  BRI Director Gerald Nepom, MD, PhD is interviewed. 

    Q13 Fox News, Dec. 20, 2013
    Artificial Pancreas, with Dr. Greenbaum
    Dr. Greenbaum was featured in a Q13 Fox News, Medical Desk segment for a story about the Artifical Pancreas system now being tested at Benaroya Research Institute. For more information about BRI's groudbreaking clinical trial testing the Artifical Pancreas, click here.

    A Companion to the Big Picture Science Radio Show
    Big Picture Science -- Monster Mashup: Chris Amemiya
    Part 2 of Skeptic Check: Monster Mashup featuring Chris Amemiya, PhD, BRI Director of Molecular Genetics, on the discovery of the coelacanth.

    The Economist, Intelligent Life Magazine, November/December 2013 
    A Fish for Our Time
    Download a PDF of the article
    The story of the coelacanth, an important biological find. The article includes the efforts and success of BRI's Director of Molecular Genetics, Chris Amemiya, PhD, in leading an international team to analyze the genome sequencing of the coelacanth.

    New Day Northwest, Aug. 19, 2013
    Groundbreaking clinical trial of an artificial pancreas
    Nurse practitioner Dana VanBuecken, Diabetes Clinical Research Program at Benaroya Research Institute, and research participant, Annie Shultz discussed their experiences with the artificial pancreas clinical trial. BRI Associate Director Jane Buckner, MD, explained the connection between autoimmune diseases and how BRI is fighting them.

    Seattle Health, Spring/Summer 2013
    The MS Mystery
    Mariko Kita, MD, director, Multiple Sclerosis Clinic, was interviewed and quoted for this article about multiple sclerosis in the Pacific Northwest.

    New York Times, April 27, 2013
    Fish’s DNA May Explain How Fins Turned to Feet
    BRI's Director of Molecular Genetics, Chris Amemiya, PhD, leds an international team to analyze the genome sequencing of the coelacanth.

    Multiple Sclerosis Discovery Forum, Feb. 8, 2013
    Resisting Arrest: Regulatory T cells outmatched in active disease
    Insightful look into the exciting multiple sclerosis findings from BRI's researchers Drs. Jane Buckner and Mariko Kita.

    Bloomberg News, Jan. 30, 2013
    Rogue Immune Cells Tied to MS Point to New Drug Target
    Scientists at Benaroya Research Institute and Virginia Mason identified a protein called interleukin-6, or IL-6, as a reason for those cells going rogue in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis, the most common form of the disease. Jane Buckner, MD, associate director, BRI, was quoted.

    BioSpace, Jan. 2, 2013
    Fluidigm Corporation completes c1™ single-cell auto prep system early access program
    BRI's Vivian Gersuk, PhD, comments on this high technology tool that BRI was the first to receive.

    Medicon Valley Nordic Life Sciences, November 2012
    Copenhagen hosts international symposium on Autoimmune Diseases
    Jane Buckner, MD, BRI Associate Director discusses current research in autoimmune diseases.

    KUOW 94.9 Puget Sound Public Radio, Nov. 27, 2012
    Search For Cause Of High Rates Of MS In Northwest Could Lead To New Treatments
    Immunologist Estelle Bettelli, PhD, Benaroya Research Institute, and Mariko Kita, MD, director, Multiple Sclerosis Center, were featured in this story about new treatment strategies for multiple sclerosis.

    KING 5 TV, August 22, 2012
    Doctors studying ways to prevent Type 1 diabetes
    KING 5 TV reported on a diabetes study to prevent Type 1 diabetes and we are participating in this clinical trial. For more information on sites in the Pacific NW please call 1-800-888-4187. For more diabetes research information.

    New Day Northwest, Aug. 20, 2012
    The Boeing Classic benefits local organizations
    BRI researcher Jane Buckner, MD, and her patient, Michelle Munro, who was diagnosed with relapsing polychondritis, discuss BRI's latest research for autoimmune diseases and the difficulties in living with these conditions.

    Seattle Times, July 23, 2012
    Immune-system transplant approved; new hope for Crohn's patients
    Researchers at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center were approved to begin a trial to test whether a bone-marrow transplant from a healthy donor can cure patients with severe Crohn's disease by giving them a new immune system. The Crohn's Allogeneic Transplant Study's investigation team also includes the University of Washington, Seattle Children's and the Benaroya Research Institute.

    Puget Sound Business Journal, July 2, 2012
    Benaroya Research Institute promotes Homer Lane Jr. to executive director
    Benaroya Research Institute at Virginia Mason (BRI) has named Homer Lane Jr. as executive director. He has also been named vice president for research at Virginia Mason Medical Center, in Seattle. Both appointments were effective July 1.

    Puget Sound Business Journal, June 28, 2012
    Virginia Mason's Benaroya Research Institute partners with Novo Nordisk
    Benaroya Research Institute at Virginia Mason is partnering with Novo Nordisk for a three-year collaboration to accelerate the research process for diagnosis and treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease and lupus.

    Nature, May 17, 2012
    Perspective: Rethink the immune connection
    Carla Greenbaum, MD, director of the Diabetes Research Program at Benaroya Research Institute, authored this article about Type 1 diabetes and the immune system.

    Puget Sound Business Journal, May 14, 2012
    Jack Benaroya public remembrance fills Seattle's Benaroya Hall
    Gerald Nepom, MD, PhD, director, Benaroya Research Institute at Virginia Mason, was quoted about Jack Benaroya's medical philanthropy in the area of diabetes.

    Puget Sound Business Journal, May 11, 2012
    Real estate developer, philanthropist Jack Benaroya has died
    Jack Benaroya supported BRI and made an impact on medical research.

    The Seattle Times, May 11, 2012
    Philanthropist and developer Jack Benaroya has died
    Mr. Benaroya provided great support to Benaroya Research Institute at Virginia Mason.

    Journal Science, May 4, 2012
    Western U.S. Bioclusters: The Pioneer Spirit
    Benaroya Research Institute is highlighted as an autoimmune diseases research center as part of the Seattle biocluster epicenter.

    Northwest Cable News, Nov. 14, 2011
    Diabetes Awareness Day (link is no longer valid)
    Carla Greenbaum, MD, BRI Diabetes Research Program Director is interviewed about the prevalence of diabetes, the need for research and awareness efforts through Diabetes Awareness Day.

    KING5.Com Your News, Nov. 14, 2011
    Shining a Light on Diabetes Awareness
    Benaroya Research Institute and BRI Diabetes Research Program Director, Carla Greenbaum, MD, participated in Diabetes Awareness Day.

    KIRO 7 News, Nov. 4, 2011
    Illuminations Luncheon and Autoimmune Diseases Research
    News anchor Steve Raible emceed the Illuminations Luncheon fundraising event for Benaroya Research Institute and reported about it during the evening news broadcast.

    KING 5 New Day Northwest, August 22, 2011
    Boeing Classic and Benaroya Research Institute
    BRI Clinical Researcher, James Lord, MD, PhD, and research participant Angelina Clarke discuss Crohn's disease and the latest autoimmune disease research at BRI.

    O’Reilly Radar, July 29, 2011
    Report from Open Source convention health track, 2011
    Andy Oram comments on an open source convention he attended. He includes information about a talk given by Charlie Quinn, director, Data Integration Technologies at Benaroya Research Institute.

    The Seattle PI, July 23, 2011
    Seafair Triathlon Photos
    Photos taken at the Benaroya Research Institute Triathlon at Seafair

    Auburn Report, November 24, 2010
    Auburn Mountainview to Host Benaroya Resarch Institute Type 1 Diabetes Screening
    Auburn Reporter featured a story about Auburn Mountainview High School hosting Benaroya Research Institute for a free Type 1 diabetes TrialNet screening for school district families on Nov. 30.

    Puget Sound Business Journal, September 3-9, 2010
    Where syrah meets sand traps -- Grapes on the Green fundraiser collects $265K for scholarships and research
    Puget Sound Business Journal reports on fundraiser for Benaroya Research Institute.

    Puget Sound Business Journal, September 7, 2010
    Benaroya Research Institute Gets $11.7M grant
    Puget Sound Business Journal announced Benaroya Research Institute received an $11.7 million federal grant to research lung inflammatory diseases.

    A Sweet Life, September 2, 2010
    On the Trail of Autoimmunity: Dr. Jane Buckner
    A SweetLife, a Web site about healthy living with diabetes, posted an article about Jane Buckner, MD, associate member, Benaroya Research Institute.

    Puget Sound Business Journal, August 31, 2010
    Benaroya Research Institute gets $2.2M grant
    Puget Sound Business Journal announced Benaroya Research Institute received a $2.2 million federal grant to study autoimmune diseases.

    King 5 New Day Northwest, August 25, 2010
    Ongoing research helps to understand MS
    New Day Northwest on KING TV featured BRI Clinical Investigator and VM neurologist Mariko Kita, MD, and patient Tracey Barnes discussing multiple sclerosis.

    King 5 New Day Northwest, August 18, 2010
    New developments for diabetes patients
    New Day Northwest on KING TV featured Benaroya Research Institute Director of Diabetes Clinical Research Carla Greenbaum, MD, and the Porcara family, research participants, discussing diabetes research.

    King 5 New Day Northwest, August 11, 2010 
    New advances for some rheumatic diseases
    New Day Northwest featured BRI Clinical Investigator Stanford Peng, MD, PhD, who is also a rheumatologist at Virginia Mason Medical Center, and Jeffrey Carlin, MD, VM rheumatologist, along with patient Linda Sloate discussing rheumatic diseases and research.

    The Seattle Times, July 28, 2010
    At-risk groups urged to get tested for hepatitis B
    In an effort to better understand hepatitis B, a nationwide clinical research trial is under way. Benaroya Research Institute is a part of this important network. Kris Kowdley, MD, BRI Clinical Investigator and Director of the Center for Liver Disease at Virginia Mason, and patient Ryan Tran are quoted.   

    The SnoValley Star, July 9, 2010
    Seattle native Fred Couples will play in 2010 Boeing Classic
    Seattle native Fred Couples will participate in the Boeing Classic this year. Benaroya Research Institute at Virginia Mason is the beneficiary of the event. 

    Puget Sound Business Journal, January 22, 2010
    Boeing Classic golf event changes charity beneficiary
    Officials at the Boeing Classic golf event, set for Aug.23-29 at the TPC Snoqualmie Ridge golf course in Snoqualmie, said the event's new charity beneficiary will be the Benaroya Research Institute at Virginia Mason.

    KING 5 News, April 8, 2009
    Painting for cancer
    His mother was diagnosed with cancer. Now, a local painter is using his skills to help search for a cure. KING 5's Eric Wilkinson has the story.

    KING 5 News, August 16, 2008
    Tacoma athletes promote diabetes awareness
    Four Tacoma teens are proving that diabetes doesn't have to stop you from becoming an athlete.  They want to motivate other kids with the disease, while they help researchers find a cure.

    Seattle Post-Intelligencer, July 21, 2008
    Pair of blind triathletes share dedication to research cause
    Even blind, Barb Oswald knows a good cause when she finds one.  Ditto John Upthegrove.  Both took part in Seafair Sunday's Benaroya Research Institute Triathlon.

    Diabetes Forecast, American Diabetes Association, June 2008
    When Good T-Cells Go Bad
    Every once in a while, the systems that protect us from infection and disease go wrong.  When that happens, they can mistake the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas for something else entirely and attack--ravaging those cells and preventing them from producing the insulin the body needs.  The result is Type 1 diabetes.  With a grant from the American Diabetes Association, William Kwok, PhD, an immunologist based at the Benaroya Research Institute at Seattle's Virginia Mason Hospital and Medical Center, is leading a lab full of researchers in a search for the causes of this potentially deadly mix-up.

    Medical News Today, June 3, 2008
    Leading Immunologists Convene in Boston
    Over a thousand scientists and clinicians will convene to present new advances in understanding and treating immune-mediated diseases at FOCIS 2008, the 8th annual meeting of the Federation of Clinical Immunology Societies (FOCIS), June 5-9 at the Boston Marriott Copley Place.  Jerry Nepom, MD, PhD, Director of the Benaroya Research Institute at Virginia Mason, is president of FOCIS.

    Seattle Post-Intelligencer, April 26, 2008
    Researchers eye new weapon in allergy war
    Using a $5.3 million grant from the National Institutes of Allergy and Infectious Disease, Dr. William Kwok of BRI and Dr. David Robinson of the Virginia Mason Asthma and Allergy Clinic are studying cells from people allergic to such things as cat dander, tree and grass pollen, peanuts and mold.

    Puget Sound Business Journal, April 18, 2008
    Life Sciences Discovery Fund Allots $22M in grants
    Five Washington Health research organizations have received $22 million in funding from the sate's Life Sciences Discovery Fund.

    Seattle Post-Intelligencer, April 17, 2008
    State awards $22 million in life sciences grants
    A state fund tasked with distributing $350 million in tobacco settlement money to support life sciences research in Washington made its first official outlay Thursday afternoon, distributing $22 million in grants among five programs.

    Puget Sound Business Journal, February 18, 2008:
    Benaroya Research Institute gets $5.3M grant to study allergies
    The grant from the National Institutes of Allergy and Infectious Diseases will be given to William Kwok and Dr. David Robinson of the Virginia Mason Asthma and Allergy Clinic.

    Puget Sound Business Journal, December 3, 2007:
    $9.4M goes to Benaroya for autoimmune work
    The Benaroya Research Institute at Virginia Mason Medical Center has landed another multimillion-dollar grant, this one for $9.4 million, as it continues to focus research and clinical trials on solving the riddle of autoimmune diseases.

    Puget Sound Business Journal, October 22, 2007:
    Battlefield medicine
    Seattle's Benaroya Research Institute, known for its work on diabetes and autoimmune disorders, is taking on a new field of science: battlefield medicine.

    Seattle Woman, October, 2007:
    Investigating Autoimmune Disease
    Jane Buckner, MD, Research Director at Benaroya Research Institute at Virginia Mason, was interviewed on autoimmune research in an article titled "Investigating why women are more prone to autoimmune diseases" in the October issue of the magazine.

    Seattle Post Intelligencer, June 7, 2007:
    Seattle at forefront for Type 1 diabetes research
    Rates here are growing -- and no one knows why.

    KING 5 News, May 14, 2007:
    Cancer drug might help stop Type 1 diabetes
    Twelve-year-old Rylan Martin is testing a cancer drug called rituximab. It's approved to treat lymphoma and rheumatoid arthritis, but Rylan doesn't have either one.

    Seattle Post Intelligencer, May 1, 2007:
    Diabetes cases double in county
    'We need to understand why people aren't listening,' study's author says.

    Seattle Post Intelligencer, March 22, 2007:
    Cure for juvenile diabetes faces a big hurdle
    Seattle and Sweden share a perch on one "top 10" ladder that people in both places would rather descend than climb -- high incidences of Type 1 (juvenile) diabetes.

    KING 5 News, March 10, 2007:
    Seattle study looks at Type one diabetes
    A multinational study is being launched locally at the Benaroya Research Institute. The goal of the study is to identify people who are at risk of developing Type 1 diabetes, and see if we can prevent them, or delay the onset of their disease.

    KING 5 News, March 3, 2007:
    Seattle researchers tackle juvenile diabetes
    There's new hope in the battle against Type 1 diabetes, the form that attacks young children. Now local researchers are taking a step closer to defeating the disease.

    Seattle Post Intelligencer, July 17, 2006:
    Records set in Seafair triathlon
    Seattle's Dave Messenheimer and Steilacoom's Heidi Grimm captured the men's and women's overall titles in the sixth annual Benaroya Research Institute Triathlon at Seafair on Sunday at Seward Park.

    Seattle Post Intelligencer, July 15, 2006:
    Seafair triathlon's popularity soaring
    Mark Davies has competed in dozens of triathlon since 1996. He's been an Iron Man competitor in Brazil, New Zealand, Canada and across the United States. But there's something about the Benaroya Research Institute Triathlon at Seafair that makes the event one of his all-time favorites.

    Seattle Post Intelligencer, July 5, 2006:
    Seattle in demand on even a molecular level
    Thanks to Dr. Jerry Nepom and his gang of scientists at a research facility few people might know by name, Seattle provides much of the world with a spiderlike molecule that has become one of the research community's hottest new tools.

    KING5 News, May 20, 2006:
    New drug combination could help juvenile diabetics
    Kids with Type 1 diabetes face major health complications as they age and the disease continues to damage their bodies. Now some Seattle researchers are working to buy them crucial time.

    KOMO News, November 14, 2005:
    That Old Justin Timberlake Record Could Help Save A Life
    It's a medical breakthrough, and it's happening at Seattle's Benaroya Research Institute. But researchers are scratching the surface, and finding their groove through an unlikely means.

    Seattle Post-Intelligencer, November 2, 2004:
    Anthrax vaccine to be studied in Seattle
    Benaroya Research Institute was awarded one of 14 grants in a $74 million program launched by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.

    Puget Sound Business Journal, March 12, 2004:
    Community must emulate R&D institutions
    Gerald T. Nepom, director of Benaroya Research Institute at Virginia Mason, outlines a path toward scientific discovery based on a partnership between scientists and the community.

    Puget Sound Business Journal, March 12, 2004:
    R&D community finds strength in numbers
    Seattle research organizations, including Benaroya Research Institute at Virginia Mason and The Hope Heart Institute, work together to fuel collaborative advancements in disease research.

    Puget Sound Business Journal, November 28, 2003
    $250 million eyed to grow biotech here
    Commissioned by Governor Locke, a committee of government and industry experts is to submit a proposal that would bring $250 million in state funding to the local biotech scene. Initiative Bio 21 aims to boost the state economy and position Washington to compete with other regions vying for biotech growth by funding collaborative research in diagnostics and therapeutics, bioengineering and health-care informatics.

    Seattle Post-Intelligencer, June 16, 2003:
    Seattle Lab Designing Key to Unlock Genetic Secrets
    The human genome project has given rise to a new kind of science in which animal genomes are compiled for use as tools to understand human genetic code.

    EDC Economic Forecast, January 2003:
    Vibrant Biomedical Landscape Lays Solid Foundation
    The Economic Development Council Economic Forecast sponsored by the Puget Sound Business Journal featured an editorial by Dr. Gerald Nepom on the social and economic issues facing the changing face of human health services

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