Live from the Lab with LJI's Dr. Sonia Sharma and GAI's Sandy Boek Werness

Dr. Sonia Sharma, Associate Professor at La Jolla Institute for Immunology and Director of the Center for Sex-based Differences in the Immune System, unpacked the provocative world of innate immunity in this foundational framework for autoimmune disease and inflammation. This session was generously underwritten by the Global Autoimmune Institute (GAI) and originally aired as part of LJI's Live from the Lab webinar series on Wednesday, March 19, 2025.

In this talk, viewers discovered how non-immune cells—from skin to blood vessels—serve as the unheralded first responders that set the stage for autoimmune reactions and inflammatory processes. Through groundbreaking genome-scale approaches and state-of-the-art techniques like RNA interference, CRISPR/Cas9, and mass spectrometry metabolomics, Dr. Sharma revealed how the earliest immune signals can shape disease outcomes. Whether aiming to better understand their own health or that of a loved one, attendees experienced an intellectually stimulating journey that bridged cutting-edge science with practical insights for managing autoimmune and inflammatory conditions. Following Dr. Sharma's presentation, a lively Q&A was moderated by Sandy Boek Werness, J.D., the Executive Director of GAI.

This programming was made possible by the Global Autoimmune Institute (GAI), which empowers solutions in the diagnosis and treatment of autoimmune disease through research, education, and awareness—supporting multidisciplinary approaches to health. Learn more at: https://www.autoimmuneinstitute.org.

In collaboration with the @GAIglobalautoimmuneinstitute
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