Introduction
Our group is interested in advancing clinical research – especially in type 1 diabetes, but also in the context of other immune-mediated diseases.
We focus on development and utilization of rigorous analytical methods to identify immune features associated with clinical outcomes, including progression of disease and response to therapy. We also seek to implement cutting-edge clinical trial designs, including use of short-term interventions with mechanistic outcomes and novel considerations of trial outcome measures.
With Drs. Lord and Smithmyer, Dr. Speake oversees BRI’s biorepositories. Her group collaborates with other academic researchers worldwide and facilitates collaborations with biotech and pharma companies. She also oversees BRI’s Clinical Core Laboratory, which is responsible for sample processing and storage for the hundreds of thousands of samples currently stored in the BRI biorepository.
Associate Member
Cate Speake, PhD
Principal Investigator; Scientific Director, Interventional Immunology
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Lab Members
Christine Bender, PhD
Postdoctoral Research Associate, Long & Speake Lab; Center for Translational Immunology
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Linda Dement
Grant & Finance Program Manager, Grants and Contracts and Center for Interventional Immunology
Rachel Hartley
Project Manager, Center for Interventional Immunology
Pamela Miranda
Research Technician, Center for Interventional Immunology
Thien-Son Nguyen
Manager, Center for Interventional Immunology
Quyen Pham
Lab Technician, Center for Interventional Immunology
Sarah Robinson
Administrative Assistant, Center for Interventional Immunology
Jessica Sarratt
Lab Technician, Center for Interventional Immunology
Megan Smithmyer, PhD
Staff Scientist, Center for Interventional Immunology
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Cameron Willman
Research Technician, Center for Interventional Immunology
Research Projects
Rigor and Reproducibility in T1D Biomarker Research
Many potential biomarkers have been suggested in T1D, but translating them from discovery efforts to utility in clinical settings has been a challenge. We focus on applying techniques to improve study design, data analysis, and technical reproducibility of assays.
The Sound Life Project
The Sound Life Project is an investigation of the immune systems of adults without chronic diseases. Understanding the immune system in this context can help us understand why healthy people respond differently to vaccinations or infections.
Understanding Progression of T1D
Type 1 Diabetes TrialNet provides rich data about people at risk for T1D. We analyze this data to help understand T1D risk, to better understand the process of T1D progression, and to help inform decisions around monitoring schedules for at risk patients.
Featured Publications
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Oct 2022
IL-6-targeted therapies directed to cytokine or receptor blockade drive distinct alterations in T cell function.
JCI InsightSpeake C, Habib T, Lambert K, Hundhausen C, Lord S, Dufort MJ, Skinner SO, Hu A, Kinsman M, Jones BE, Maerz MD, Tatum M, Hocking AM, Nepom GT, Greenbaum CJ, Buckner JH -
Apr 2020
Autoantibody Reversion: Changing Risk Categories in Multiple-Autoantibody-Positive Individuals.
Diabetes CareSo M, O'Rourke C, Bahnson HT, Greenbaum CJ, Speake C -
Dec 2019
A composite immune signature parallels disease progression across T1D subjects.
JCI InsightSpeake C, Skinner SO, Berel D, Whalen E, Dufort MJ, Young WC, Odegard JM, Pesenacker AM, Gorus FK, James EA, Levings MK, Linsley PS, Akirav EM, Pugliese A, Hessner MJ, Nepom GT, Gottardo R, Long SA -
Mar 2023
SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccines decouple anti-viral immunity from humoral autoimmunity.
Nat CommunJaycox JR, Lucas C, Yildirim I, Dai Y, Wang EY, Monteiro V, Lord S, Carlin J, Kita M, Buckner JH, Ma S, Campbell M, Ko A, Omer S, Lucas CL, Speake C, Iwasaki A, Ring AM -
Jul 2022
Evaluating the Immunopathogenesis of Diabetes After Acute Pancreatitis in the Diabetes RElated to Acute Pancreatitis and Its Mechanisms Study: From the Type 1 Diabetes in Acute Pancreatitis Consortium.
PancreasCasu A, Grippo PJ, Wasserfall C, Sun Z, Linsley PS, Hamerman JA, Fife BT, Lacy-Hulbert A, Toledo FGS, Hart PA, Papachristou GI, Bellin MD, Yadav D, Laughlin MR, Goodarzi MO, Speake C, Type 1 Diabetes in Acute Pancreatitis Consortium (T1DAPC).
April 3, 2024
Two Teens, Two Clinical Trials, One Vision: Living Better With T1D
Hear from teenagers Clara and Gibson about their experience participating in research and why it's important to them.
April 1, 2024
New Frontiers in Immunology: Studying Diseases in the Tissues Where They Happen
Learn how Eddie James, PhD, Peter Morawski, PhD, and other BRI scientists are exploring tissue-specific immunology and why this approach is fueling discoveries.
January 12, 2024
New Grant Fuels Research Into Preventing Autoimmunity
Naive T cells are like the rookies of your immune system. They’re young and inexperienced. They grow up to do different jobs, most of which help protect your body from viruses and bacteria. But a few stray down the wrong path — growing up to become cells that cause autoimmune disease.
Monitoring T cells may allow prevention of type 1 diabetes
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Science in Seattle: Characterizing T Cell Responses to Enzymatically Modified Beta Cell Neo-Epitopes
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