Rachel Rutishauser
@rrutishauser.bsky.social
Physician-scientist, immunologist. Associate Professor, UCSF Division of Experimental Medicine. Investigator, DARE HIV cure collaboratory. CD8 T cells, HIV, immune development. Posts mine. https://experimentalmedicine.ucsf.edu/laboratories/rutishauser-lab
Pinned
Excited to share this preprint: In trial led by @michaelpelusomd.bsky.social and Steve Deeks, combination immunotherapy=>high rate of HIV control (low VL) after ART pause. @demisandel.bsky.social in our lab found control associated with robust CD8+ T cell proliferation early in response to rebound.
Reposted by Rachel Rutishauser
SCOOP: The Trump administration has instructed employees and grantees not to use U.S. funds to commemorate World AIDS Day — because the observance was started by the World Health Organization.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/26/h...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/26/h...
Trump Administration Cancels U.S. Observance of World AIDS Day
www.nytimes.com
November 26, 2025 at 6:41 PM
SCOOP: The Trump administration has instructed employees and grantees not to use U.S. funds to commemorate World AIDS Day — because the observance was started by the World Health Organization.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/26/h...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/26/h...
Reposted by Rachel Rutishauser
Pictures of David Kirby appeared in "Life" magazine this month in 1990. Kirby was dying of complications of AIDS. The photographs were taken at Pater Noster House, a hospice in Columbus, Ohio.
#MedSky + #IDSky + #HistorySky.
www.life.com/history/behi...
#MedSky + #IDSky + #HistorySky.
www.life.com/history/behi...
World AIDS Day: The Photo That Changed the Face of HIV/AIDS
LIFE.com shares the story behind one of the most harrowing and controversial photographs to emerge from the global pandemic.
www.life.com
November 26, 2025 at 12:57 PM
Pictures of David Kirby appeared in "Life" magazine this month in 1990. Kirby was dying of complications of AIDS. The photographs were taken at Pater Noster House, a hospice in Columbus, Ohio.
#MedSky + #IDSky + #HistorySky.
www.life.com/history/behi...
#MedSky + #IDSky + #HistorySky.
www.life.com/history/behi...
Reposted by Rachel Rutishauser
The 2025 UNAIDS report is out and it is a stark reminder that the HIV epidemic is not over. After a decade of progress, the global HIV response was shaken this year by abrupt, deep cuts in international funding. Clinics closed. Community programmes collapsed.
www.unaids.org/en/resources...
www.unaids.org/en/resources...
November 25, 2025 at 9:05 PM
The 2025 UNAIDS report is out and it is a stark reminder that the HIV epidemic is not over. After a decade of progress, the global HIV response was shaken this year by abrupt, deep cuts in international funding. Clinics closed. Community programmes collapsed.
www.unaids.org/en/resources...
www.unaids.org/en/resources...
Reposted by Rachel Rutishauser
3/ World AIDS Day is Dec 1 -- this is THE day to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS, support those living with it, remember those lost, and promote prevention and education worldwide.
worldaidsday.org
worldaidsday.org
November 25, 2025 at 4:16 PM
3/ World AIDS Day is Dec 1 -- this is THE day to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS, support those living with it, remember those lost, and promote prevention and education worldwide.
worldaidsday.org
worldaidsday.org
Reposted by Rachel Rutishauser
1/ ⚠️ Breaking: At CDC, we've been told the US Government will not officially commemorate World AIDS Day this year. No explanation given.
November 25, 2025 at 4:16 PM
1/ ⚠️ Breaking: At CDC, we've been told the US Government will not officially commemorate World AIDS Day this year. No explanation given.
Reposted by Rachel Rutishauser
Among the many things Carl Dieffenbach was working on: the re-competition and renewal of #HIV clinical research networks: ACTG, HPTN, HVTN, IMPAACT.
As someone who has worked in HIV for 35+ years, I can tell you Carl is a consummate scientific leader. We’ve been lucky to have him at head of DAIDS. The only thing that wins here is the virus.
Unfortunately, I can confirm that this is true.
I have known Carl for 2 decades and he is smart, dedicated, and quite apolitical, focused on science and getting stuff done on important problems.
Huge unnecessary loss of leadership and expertise.
I have known Carl for 2 decades and he is smart, dedicated, and quite apolitical, focused on science and getting stuff done on important problems.
Huge unnecessary loss of leadership and expertise.
November 24, 2025 at 4:31 PM
Among the many things Carl Dieffenbach was working on: the re-competition and renewal of #HIV clinical research networks: ACTG, HPTN, HVTN, IMPAACT.
Reposted by Rachel Rutishauser
A lot of the transformational advances in HIV science — Truvada PrEP, Treatment as prevention (HPTN 052), U=U, lenacapavir PrEP etc. happened under Carl's watch. A kind and generous person to boot. Huge loss.
As @gregggonsalves.bsky.social said, here is the main winner in the forced departure of Carl Dieffenbach.
November 24, 2025 at 3:08 PM
A lot of the transformational advances in HIV science — Truvada PrEP, Treatment as prevention (HPTN 052), U=U, lenacapavir PrEP etc. happened under Carl's watch. A kind and generous person to boot. Huge loss.
Reposted by Rachel Rutishauser
Hearing news that Carl Dieffenbach, the Director of the Division of AIDS at #NIH (NIAID), has been removed from his position because he was "not aligned with HHS/OMB."
Russell Vought continues to remove great scientists as part of the Project 2025 mission to politicize and destroy NIH.
🧪 1/
Russell Vought continues to remove great scientists as part of the Project 2025 mission to politicize and destroy NIH.
🧪 1/
November 24, 2025 at 3:31 AM
Hearing news that Carl Dieffenbach, the Director of the Division of AIDS at #NIH (NIAID), has been removed from his position because he was "not aligned with HHS/OMB."
Russell Vought continues to remove great scientists as part of the Project 2025 mission to politicize and destroy NIH.
🧪 1/
Russell Vought continues to remove great scientists as part of the Project 2025 mission to politicize and destroy NIH.
🧪 1/
Reposted by Rachel Rutishauser
November 18, 2025 at 4:00 PM
Reposted by Rachel Rutishauser
🔬 "From CAR T cell-targeting of the #HIV reservoir to therapies for cancer and autoimmune diseases, T cells hold the potential to improve medicine." via @amfarofficial.bsky.social
How T Cells Are Defining the Future of HIV Therapies and Beyond
Research into T cells holds the potential to make advances in HIV therapies and the treatment of conditions such as cancer and autoimmune diseases.
www.amfar.org
November 18, 2025 at 1:30 PM
🔬 "From CAR T cell-targeting of the #HIV reservoir to therapies for cancer and autoimmune diseases, T cells hold the potential to improve medicine." via @amfarofficial.bsky.social
Reposted by Rachel Rutishauser
What usually gets lost in the focus on what an evil racist James Watson was is just how colossal of a dumbass he was and just how far he set the field back.
But @sramach.bsky.social and @cbo.bsky.social kept their eye on the ball.
But @sramach.bsky.social and @cbo.bsky.social kept their eye on the ball.
"What James Watson got wrong about DNA"
By the great Sohini Ramachandran (@sramach.bsky.social) and your boy for The Boston Globe (@bostonglobe.com).
www.bostonglobe.com/2025/11/14/o...
By the great Sohini Ramachandran (@sramach.bsky.social) and your boy for The Boston Globe (@bostonglobe.com).
www.bostonglobe.com/2025/11/14/o...
What James Watson got wrong about DNA - The Boston Globe
The science he helped pioneer consistently undermines his view that genes determine everything about us.
www.bostonglobe.com
November 15, 2025 at 4:19 AM
What usually gets lost in the focus on what an evil racist James Watson was is just how colossal of a dumbass he was and just how far he set the field back.
But @sramach.bsky.social and @cbo.bsky.social kept their eye on the ball.
But @sramach.bsky.social and @cbo.bsky.social kept their eye on the ball.
Reposted by Rachel Rutishauser
Azalea grew out of collaborative research conducted at the Innovative Genomics Institute in Jennifer Doudna’s lab and in Justin Eyquem’s lab as part of the Gladstone-UCSF Institute of Genomic Immunology.
@j-eyquem.bsky.social
@innovativegenomics.bsky.social
@j-eyquem.bsky.social
@innovativegenomics.bsky.social
Azalea Therapeutics Launches with $82 Million Financing to Redefine Precision Genomic Medicines by Engineering Cells Directly Inside Each Patient
Azalea Therapeutics launches with $82M to advance precision in vivo genome engineering, creating therapeutic cells directly inside patients....
www.globenewswire.com
November 14, 2025 at 9:10 PM
Azalea grew out of collaborative research conducted at the Innovative Genomics Institute in Jennifer Doudna’s lab and in Justin Eyquem’s lab as part of the Gladstone-UCSF Institute of Genomic Immunology.
@j-eyquem.bsky.social
@innovativegenomics.bsky.social
@j-eyquem.bsky.social
@innovativegenomics.bsky.social
Reposted by Rachel Rutishauser
Adding more signs of how NIH science is/was broken: my lab team could not show up for 3 more accepted talks at scientific conferences, totaling 9 for the year now. If you interview current NIH trainees for grad or med schools please understand that we are giving them the best experience we can.
While the government was shut down, 379 NIH study section meetings (containing 24,380 grant applications) were postponed. NIH is committed to getting these reviewed, but please be patient and understanding with staff, as this is a complex and heavy lift.
November 13, 2025 at 2:10 PM
Adding more signs of how NIH science is/was broken: my lab team could not show up for 3 more accepted talks at scientific conferences, totaling 9 for the year now. If you interview current NIH trainees for grad or med schools please understand that we are giving them the best experience we can.
Reposted by Rachel Rutishauser
In our latest study in @cp-immunity.bsky.social, we followed dynamics of vaccine-specific Tfh cells for 60+ weeks after immunization.
authors.elsevier.com/a/1m3mV3qNrU...
We captured >500,000 CD4 T cells including >36,000 vaccine-specific Tfh by scRNAseq, giving an unprecedented longitudinal detail.
authors.elsevier.com/a/1m3mV3qNrU...
We captured >500,000 CD4 T cells including >36,000 vaccine-specific Tfh by scRNAseq, giving an unprecedented longitudinal detail.
November 12, 2025 at 7:45 PM
In our latest study in @cp-immunity.bsky.social, we followed dynamics of vaccine-specific Tfh cells for 60+ weeks after immunization.
authors.elsevier.com/a/1m3mV3qNrU...
We captured >500,000 CD4 T cells including >36,000 vaccine-specific Tfh by scRNAseq, giving an unprecedented longitudinal detail.
authors.elsevier.com/a/1m3mV3qNrU...
We captured >500,000 CD4 T cells including >36,000 vaccine-specific Tfh by scRNAseq, giving an unprecedented longitudinal detail.
Reposted by Rachel Rutishauser
This is…outstanding. If I may, I urge us to read it carefully, and appreciate the details, the shape, the picture it paints.
A Sharon Begley byline, almost 5 years after her death.
Upon hearing the news James Watson had died, a STAT reporter said in our Slack, "I wish I could read what Sharon would have written."
Incredible news: Sharon in fact did pre-write a Watson obit. And it is masterful and excoriating.
🧪🧬🧫
Upon hearing the news James Watson had died, a STAT reporter said in our Slack, "I wish I could read what Sharon would have written."
Incredible news: Sharon in fact did pre-write a Watson obit. And it is masterful and excoriating.
🧪🧬🧫
James Watson, dead at 97, was a scientific legend and a pariah among his peers
James Watson, the co-discoverer of the structure of DNA who died Thursday at 97, was a scientific legend and a pariah among his peers.
www.statnews.com
November 9, 2025 at 2:46 AM
This is…outstanding. If I may, I urge us to read it carefully, and appreciate the details, the shape, the picture it paints.
Reposted by Rachel Rutishauser
Exciting collaboration combining multiplex epigenetic reprogramming and site-specific payload integration!
Integrated epigenetic and genetic programming of primary human T cells - @gladstoneinst.bsky.social @ucsanfrancisco.bsky.social @j-eyquem.bsky.social @marsonlab.bsky.social go.nature.com/3WOJJAJ
Integrated epigenetic and genetic programming of primary human T cells - Nature Biotechnology
Multiplexed editing in primary human T cells generates enhanced immune cell therapies.
go.nature.com
October 21, 2025 at 5:59 PM
Exciting collaboration combining multiplex epigenetic reprogramming and site-specific payload integration!
Reposted by Rachel Rutishauser
@joann-trejo.bsky.social, @marymunson4.bsky.social and I have a commentary in @natcellbio.nature.com on recent attacks on DEI in biomedical research: "If scientific research, especially biomedical research, is meant to serve everyone, then it requires that everyone has an opportunity to participate"
Scaling back DEI programmes and the loss of scientific talent
Nature Cell Biology - Programmes that support diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) in science are under attack in the USA. Data indicate that diversity in the scientific workforce increases...
www.nature.com
October 23, 2025 at 4:36 PM
@joann-trejo.bsky.social, @marymunson4.bsky.social and I have a commentary in @natcellbio.nature.com on recent attacks on DEI in biomedical research: "If scientific research, especially biomedical research, is meant to serve everyone, then it requires that everyone has an opportunity to participate"
Reposted by Rachel Rutishauser
We’re thrilled to announce a new round of grants to HIV researchers worth a total of $2.4M: www.amfar.org/press-releas...
October 16, 2025 at 2:32 PM
We’re thrilled to announce a new round of grants to HIV researchers worth a total of $2.4M: www.amfar.org/press-releas...
Reposted by Rachel Rutishauser
Reading Rainbow emphasis is encouraging kids to read. The focus is not on teaching them to read. The mission is reading should be fun!
We are all readers, worthy of literacy. LeVar Burton said “but you don’t have to take my word for it” because he wanted us to look to the books. That’s the beauty 💚
We are all readers, worthy of literacy. LeVar Burton said “but you don’t have to take my word for it” because he wanted us to look to the books. That’s the beauty 💚
Reading Rainbow Is Back With a New Host -- @mychal3ts.bsky.social -- And The Same Mission
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/04/s...
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/04/s...
‘Reading Rainbow’ Comes Back With a New Host, but the Same Mission
www.nytimes.com
October 4, 2025 at 7:47 PM
Reading Rainbow emphasis is encouraging kids to read. The focus is not on teaching them to read. The mission is reading should be fun!
We are all readers, worthy of literacy. LeVar Burton said “but you don’t have to take my word for it” because he wanted us to look to the books. That’s the beauty 💚
We are all readers, worthy of literacy. LeVar Burton said “but you don’t have to take my word for it” because he wanted us to look to the books. That’s the beauty 💚
Reposted by Rachel Rutishauser
There are unprecedented challenges for science, calling for bold action and collective effort. Training the next generation of scientific leaders has never been more important. Join us as we grow National PROPEL to answer this call. Learn more: propelscholars.org @propelscholars.bsky.social 🧪🧬🖥️🧵
October 9, 2025 at 5:20 AM
There are unprecedented challenges for science, calling for bold action and collective effort. Training the next generation of scientific leaders has never been more important. Join us as we grow National PROPEL to answer this call. Learn more: propelscholars.org @propelscholars.bsky.social 🧪🧬🖥️🧵
Reposted by Rachel Rutishauser
Dear #microbiology and #immunology community- I took a break from social media after I deleted my Twitter account, but am back here. Please help me rebuild my community by following me and amplifying this message- I will follow you back. Thank you and I look forward to our many interactions!
October 5, 2025 at 4:10 PM
Dear #microbiology and #immunology community- I took a break from social media after I deleted my Twitter account, but am back here. Please help me rebuild my community by following me and amplifying this message- I will follow you back. Thank you and I look forward to our many interactions!
Reposted by Rachel Rutishauser
Happy to announce the publication using advanced models to understand how T cells mediate efficient immunoediting in early sarcomas.
This was a collaboration between Julie Cheung and Brian Hunt
in the lab
Thanks to Cancer Cell for publishing our work.
www.cell.com/cancer-cell/...
This was a collaboration between Julie Cheung and Brian Hunt
in the lab
Thanks to Cancer Cell for publishing our work.
www.cell.com/cancer-cell/...
Distinct T cell functions enable efficient immunoediting and prevent tumor emergence of developing sarcomas
Cheung et al. describe efficient T cell control of nascent neoantigen+ and nearby
neoantigen-negative sarcoma cells, underlying a ∼50% reduction in tumor penetrance.
This otherwise imperceptible immun...
www.cell.com
October 2, 2025 at 4:50 PM
Happy to announce the publication using advanced models to understand how T cells mediate efficient immunoediting in early sarcomas.
This was a collaboration between Julie Cheung and Brian Hunt
in the lab
Thanks to Cancer Cell for publishing our work.
www.cell.com/cancer-cell/...
This was a collaboration between Julie Cheung and Brian Hunt
in the lab
Thanks to Cancer Cell for publishing our work.
www.cell.com/cancer-cell/...
Reposted by Rachel Rutishauser
Great job @sarasuliman.bsky.social on discussing the evolution of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in human populations over time
#TBSky #IDSky #MedSky 🧪 #genetics
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
#TBSky #IDSky #MedSky 🧪 #genetics
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
The evolution of Mycobacterium tuberculosis as humans migrated out of Africa - Nature Reviews Genetics
Sara Suliman describes a seminal 2013 publication by Comas et al. that investigated the origins of the tuberculosis-causing bacteria and its coevolution with diverse human populations.
www.nature.com
October 2, 2025 at 8:12 PM
Great job @sarasuliman.bsky.social on discussing the evolution of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in human populations over time
#TBSky #IDSky #MedSky 🧪 #genetics
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
#TBSky #IDSky #MedSky 🧪 #genetics
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Reposted by Rachel Rutishauser
I often emphasize that there are rarely "silver bullets" that magically solve problems but vaccines are one of the closest things we have and it's mind-boggling and enraging to watch this "debate" unfold during my lifetime
The polio immunisation program started in the USA in 1955.
Look what happened next.
Look what happened next.
September 25, 2025 at 4:41 PM
I often emphasize that there are rarely "silver bullets" that magically solve problems but vaccines are one of the closest things we have and it's mind-boggling and enraging to watch this "debate" unfold during my lifetime
Reposted by Rachel Rutishauser
Here's the upshot on hepatitis B vaccination at birth:
- it's extremely safe
- the earlier it's given, the better it protects against transmission from mother-to-child
- screening fails to capture many cases and is not done at all in many cases
- perinatal HBV infection is catastrophic
- it's extremely safe
- the earlier it's given, the better it protects against transmission from mother-to-child
- screening fails to capture many cases and is not done at all in many cases
- perinatal HBV infection is catastrophic
September 18, 2025 at 6:40 PM
Here's the upshot on hepatitis B vaccination at birth:
- it's extremely safe
- the earlier it's given, the better it protects against transmission from mother-to-child
- screening fails to capture many cases and is not done at all in many cases
- perinatal HBV infection is catastrophic
- it's extremely safe
- the earlier it's given, the better it protects against transmission from mother-to-child
- screening fails to capture many cases and is not done at all in many cases
- perinatal HBV infection is catastrophic