's Avatar

@thexavierlab

Genes to functions. Microbiome in health & disease. Computational biology. Chemical biology. Innate & adaptive immunity. http://broadinstitute.org/xavier-lab https://molbio.massgeneral.org/faculty/343

168
Followers
27
Following
63
Posts
19.11.2024
Joined
Posts Following

Latest posts by @thexavierlab

@mgbresearch.bsky.social @broadinstitute.org

04.03.2026 19:32 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
Preview
Microbiota-mediated induction of beige adipocytes in response to dietary cues - Nature In mice, a low-protein diet leads to a gut-microbiota-driven remodelling of adipose tissue towards brown fat, showing that gut microorganisms have a role in detecting and responding to a lack of prote...

New study, in collaboration with Kenya Honda, out now in @nature.com. We show how a low protein diet drives a microbiota-dependent induction of thermogenic brown adipocytes via FXR & FGF21 pathways.

www.nature.com/articles/s41...

04.03.2026 19:32 πŸ‘ 3 πŸ” 3 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0

Thank you to all the authors, including
@dalygene.bsky.social and @masakanai.bsky.social
for their hard work and contributions!

@mgbresearch.bsky.social

27.02.2026 21:38 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
Preview
Genome-wide association analyses of autoimmune hypothyroidism reveal autoimmune and thyroid-specific contributions and an inverse relationship with cancer risk - Nature Genetics Genome-wide analyses identify 418 independent associations with autoimmune hypothyroidism and classify risk loci into distinct groupings related to systemic autoimmunity and thyroid-specific dysfuncti...

This paper charts a clear path to understanding how genetics can not only find the genetic variants linked to a disease, but also dissect them into clearly distinct groups that represent independent components of the disease. (3/4)

www.nature.com/articles/s41...

27.02.2026 21:38 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0

By performing a genome-wide association analysis of over 81,000 people with #AIHT in the FinnGen cohort and UK Biobank, the team was also able to distinguish genetic factors related specifically to thyroid biology from those linked to more general autoimmune processes. (2/4)

27.02.2026 21:38 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0
Preview
Study reveals genetic balancing act between autoimmunity and cancer risk Researchers pinpoint genetic factors linked to both higher risk of a common autoimmune disorder and lower cancer risk

Check out this great write-up of a recent study between the
@broadinstitute.org , University of Helsinki, and other institutions which has found more than 400 genetic markers that are linked to autoimmune hypothyroidism (AIHT). (1/4)

www.broadinstitute.org/news/study-r...

27.02.2026 21:38 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0
Multi-modal skin atlas identifies a multicellular immune-stromal community associated with disrupted cornification and specific T cell expansion in atopic dermatitis - Nature Communications In atopic dermatitis (AD), skin barrier disruption leads to chronic inflammation. Here, the authors use single-cell sequencing to map human skin, uncovering AD-specific cell states and populations inv...

Excited to share our new study defining the multicellular ecosystem of atopic dermatitis. Integrating >700k single cells from healthy and inflamed skin, we uncover disease-specific immune circuits linked to disrupted keratinocyte differentiation.
www.nature.com/articles/s41...

27.02.2026 21:21 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

For an in-depth walkthrough, check out this Tweetorial by first author @00kumar.bsky.social

bsky.app/profile/00ku...

23.02.2026 15:12 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

7/ Thanks to Elena Wu and senior authors Damian Plichta,
@carriesokol.bsky.social, @thexavierlab.bsky.social, Sergio Bacallado. A cross-disciplinary effort across @broadinstitute.org, @massgeneralbrigham.bsky.social, @cam.ac.uk, @cuanschutz.bsky.social, @gatescambridge.bsky.social

20.02.2026 20:13 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 2 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0
Preview
Identifying microbial protease allergens through protein language model-guided homology Emerging research links the gut, skin, and oral microbiomes to allergies, with serine proteases (SPs) identified as potential allergens. This study le…

(1/2) New paper out now inΒ Cell Systems @cellpress.bsky.social describing development of aΒ deep learning framework to predict allergenic microbial proteases!
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...

@broadinstitute.org @mgbresearch.bsky.social

23.02.2026 15:10 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 2 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0
CiiM | Symposium 2026 Registration is open.Β Due to limited capacity, early registration is strongly recommended. Once the maximum number of participants is reached, a waiting list will be established.

We’re looking forward to the upcoming 2nd International Conference on Individualized Infection Medicine in Hannover, 19–21 March 2026. Registration is still open!

www.ciim-hannover.de/aktuelles/sy...

18.02.2026 15:32 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
Preview
Two-step screen for CARD9 inhibitors Discover the world’s best science and medicine | Nature.com

Nice to see our recent CARD9 work covered in @natrevdrugdiscov.nature.com, with a focus on our two-step screening approach for identifying binders of challenging targets.

www.nature.com/articles/d41...

17.02.2026 19:13 πŸ‘ 2 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

Congratulations to Alok and all the authors!

@broadinstitute.org @mgbresearch.bsky.social

22.01.2026 20:26 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
Preview
Spatial transcriptomics reveals altered communities and drivers of aberrant epithelia and pro-fibrotic fibroblasts in interstitial lung diseases Using single-nucleus RNA sequencing and spatial transcriptomics, Jaiswal et al. identify disease-associated cell communities that include aberrant transitional alveolar epithelium and pro-fibrotic fib...

Excited to share our latest study in Cell Genomics, combining single-nucleus RNA-seq, spatial transcriptomics, and histology to dissect the molecular determinants of lung fibrosis!

www.cell.com/cell-genomic...

#fibrosis #lung #ILD

22.01.2026 20:26 πŸ‘ 2 πŸ” 2 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0
Post image

@broadinstitute.org
@mgbresearch.bsky.social

16.01.2026 20:06 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
Post image

These studies firmly establish a foundation for development of an inhibitor of CARD9 inflammatory response. More broadly, this approach illustrates a strategy for using human genetics and chemical biology to guide small-molecule discovery against challenging immune targets. (7/7)

16.01.2026 20:06 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0
Post image Post image

The optimized compound blocked CARD9-dependent NFΞΊB activation and cytokine release in human dendritic cells and reduced inflammation in mouse model of fungal infection expressing humanized CARD9 (hCARD9), demonstrating the feasibility of pharmacological targeting of CARD9. (6/7)

16.01.2026 20:06 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0
Post image Post image

Using time-resolved FRET (TR-FRET) displacement screens, surface plasmon resonance (SPR), and structure-activity relationship studies we identified a benzodiazepine compound with selective CARD9 binding and cellular activity. (5/7)

16.01.2026 20:06 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0
Post image Post image

To explore pharmacological modulation of CARD9, we took a binder-first strategy: a DNA-encoded library screen and subsequent structural studies revealed a ligandable pocket in the CARD9 coiled-coil domain, guiding subsequent chemical exploration. (4/7)

16.01.2026 20:06 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0
Post image

In prior work, we leveraged CARD9Ξ”11 to study CARD9 regulation and identified the E3 ligase TRIM62 as a CARD9-interacting protein that regulates CARD9 activation through post-translational modification. (3/7)
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...

16.01.2026 20:06 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0

CARD9 is a key immune adaptor required for immune responses against fungi and bacteria and is implicated in multiple inflammatory diseases. The truncation variant CARD9Ξ”11 protects against Crohn’s disease, suggesting CARD9 inhibition as a strategy for therapeutic intervention. (2/7)

16.01.2026 20:06 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0
Preview
Human genetics guides the discovery of CARD9 inhibitors with anti-inflammatory activity Human genetic association studies highlight key genes involved in disease pathology, yet targets identified by these analyses often fall outside the t…

(🧡1/7) New work, now online in @CellCellPress! Using a phased, binder-first strategy, we identified a ligandable pocket on CARD9 and discovered a small-molecule inhibitor of CARD9 inflammatory signaling.
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...

16.01.2026 20:06 πŸ‘ 3 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0

Fun collaboration with @thexavierlab.bsky.social and Ribbeck groups to figure out how this human lectin plays multiple roles in controlling the #microbiome: stabilizing the mucus barrier and reducing bacteria that breach it. news.mit.edu/2026/protein... #glycotime

15.01.2026 15:26 πŸ‘ 14 πŸ” 6 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
Preview
Intelectin-2 is a broad-spectrum antimicrobial lectin - Nature Communications Intelectin-2 defends mucosal interfaces by crosslinking mucus and blocking microbial growth. This study reveals that mouse and human intelectin-2 recognizes galactose-rich glycans to bind and target d...

Amazing work–with potential therapeutic implications–by the @laurakiessling.bsky.social group reveals dual actions of interlectin-2 in stabilizing mucosal barriers and targeting bacteria that escape a compromised barrier
www.nature.com/articles/s41...

15.01.2026 14:34 πŸ‘ 7 πŸ” 3 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 1

@mgbresearch.bsky.social

07.01.2026 20:58 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

Very excited to share our latest work in @Nature integrating single-cell & spatial transcriptomics with bidirectional CRISPR screens to unravel an immune–stromal cell circuit dependent on the transcription factor GLIS3 that regulates intestinal fibrosis during chronic inflammation. Congrats, Vlad!

07.01.2026 20:58 πŸ‘ 5 πŸ” 2 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0
Preview
Microbiome-derived bile acid signatures in early life and their association with islet autoimmunity - PubMed Emerging studies reveal that gut microbes can conjugate diverse amino acids to bile acids, known as microbially conjugated bile acids. However, their regulation and health effects remain unclear. Here, we analyzed early-life microbially conjugated bile acid patterns and their link to islet autoimmun …

New in @NatureComms β€” collaborative work with the Knip & OreΕ‘ič labs uncovers microbially conjugated bile acids in early life linked to immune development and type 1 diabetes risk.

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41339624/

@broadinstitute.org @mgbresearch.bsky.social

12.12.2025 16:14 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
Preview
IHMC 2026 SEOUL IHMC 2026 SEOUL μ‚¬μ΄νŠΈμž…λ‹ˆλ‹€.

Register now for the International Human Microbiome Consortium (#IHMC) 2026, June 3–5 in Seoul, Korea!

Join this global gathering of researchers for an exciting program highlighting the latest discoveries in human #microbiome science:

www.ihmc2026seoul.com/html/

11.12.2025 18:34 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
Post image

Excited to share our new FinnGen single-nucleus multiome preprint! 🧬

We profiled ~10M PBMCs (snRNA-seq + snATAC-seq) from 1,108 Finnish donors to map how genetic variants drive complex disease through chromatin and gene regulation πŸ§΅πŸ‘‡
πŸ”— Link: www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1...

01.12.2025 15:36 πŸ‘ 33 πŸ” 19 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0
Preview
ICMI 2026 ICMI provides an ideal opportunity to showcase your organization’s products and services and have direct interface with mucosal immunologists from around the globe.

Registration now open for the International Congress of Mucosal Immunology (ICMI) 2026, Jul 13–17 in Montreal, Canada.

www.socmucimm.org/meetings-eve...

Looking forward to being part of this lineup of talks highlighting research at the interface of the immune system and mucosal surfaces!

04.12.2025 15:04 πŸ‘ 2 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0