Colton Consortium Sponsors 2025 FASEB Autoimmunity Conference

The Colton Consortium proudly served as the lead sponsor of the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology (FASEB) Autoimmunity Conference held in Niagara Falls, NY from July 27-31, 2025. This conference is a prominent and longstanding scientific gathering dedicated to exploring advances in the field of autoimmunity and helps to foster meaningful collaborations and networking exchanges among leading autoimmune scientists and clinicians from around the world.

Leonardo Guercio, PhD, Director of Strategy and Business Development for the Colton Consortium, introduced the Colton Consortium Opening Session, which featured an in-depth exploration of adaptive immune cell-mediated mechanisms in autoimmunity. This was followed by the Colton Consortium Keynote, delivered by Mark Davis, PhD, Professor of Microbiology and Immunology at Stanford University, who presented groundbreaking insights on "Origins of Antigenic Sin." Dr. Davis's presentation explored how HLA polymorphisms shape antigenic bias from infancy and linked persistent autoimmune-like features in conditions such as Long COVID and Lyme disease to bacterial peptidoglycans and immune dysfunction—setting the stage for four days of rigorous discussion, collaboration, and knowledge‑sharing.

Several distinguished Consortium-affiliated investigators were featured among the 33 invited speakers, demonstrating the depth and impact of our collaborative efforts. From the University of Pennsylvania, Montserrat C. Anguera, PhD, Associate Professor of Biomedical Sciences, served as a conference organizer and invited speaker, while Golnaz Vahedi, PhD, Professor of Genetics, showcased multi-omic profiling data from the Human Pancreas Analysis Program, revealing critical insights into Type 1 diabetes pathogenesis. Joseph Craft, MD, Director of the Colton Center for Autoimmunity at Yale University, described a two-signal model of lupus kidney injury, where systemic immunity primes disease and local renal responses drive tissue damage, while his colleague, David Hafler, MD, FANA, William S. and Lois Stiles Edgerly Professor of Neurology and Professor of Immunobiology, presented compelling evidence proposing Parkinson's disease as an autoimmune disorder originating in the gut. These presentations, alongside contributions from several other Consortium affiliates, underscored the impact of the Coltons' investment in accelerating discovery and advancing the understanding of autoimmune disease mechanisms.

Beyond the formal scientific sessions, the conference facilitated networking opportunities through "Meet the Expert" lunches and career panel sessions focused on both academic and industry pathways. These structured interactions enabled early-career scientists to connect directly with established leaders, creating mentorship opportunities that will advance the next generation of autoimmune disease researchers.

The success of this conference directly aligns with the Colton Consortium’s vision to revolutionize the prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and cure of autoimmune disorders. Presentations highlighted breakthrough findings—from microbiome influences on autoimmunity to novel therapeutic targets—with several speakers outlining potential pathways toward more effective treatments. Importantly, the Colton’s investment will resonate well beyond these four days, shaping scientific discourse, strengthening partnerships, and sparking new collaborations that will continue to drive discovery long after the conference.

As we build on the momentum generated at FASEB, the Colton Consortium remains committed to sponsoring similar high-impact scientific conferences that advance our field. These strategic investments in scientific community-building represent a key pillar of our approach to accelerate breakthrough discoveries and foster the collaborations necessary to transform the future for individuals living with autoimmune diseases.

‍