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
Correlates of HIV-1 control after combination immunotherapy - Nature
Nature - Correlates of HIV-1 control after combination immunotherapy
www.nature.com
1/ We are making progress towards finding a cure for HIV. In a trial @UCSF led by Steve Deeks and @michaelpelusomd.bsky.social, 7/10 participants who received a combination of immunotherapies achieved partial control of HIV after stopping antiretroviral therapy (ART).🧵 www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Reposted by Rachel Rutishauser
11/ HIV is an extraordinarily challenging pathogen. Demonstrating that the immune system *can* be manipulated to improve control of HIV and identifying a correlate of that control in vivo in people is both important for the field and also gives us something concrete to build on.
December 2, 2025 at 6:50 AM
11/ HIV is an extraordinarily challenging pathogen. Demonstrating that the immune system *can* be manipulated to improve control of HIV and identifying a correlate of that control in vivo in people is both important for the field and also gives us something concrete to build on.
Reposted by Rachel Rutishauser
7/ @demisandel.bsky.social (1st PhD student in my lab!) made the key observation: early in rebound, before viral loads diverged, participants who went on to control HIV to low levels had a larger expansion of activated, cycling CD8+ T cells in the blood compared to those who did not control rebound.
December 2, 2025 at 6:50 AM
7/ @demisandel.bsky.social (1st PhD student in my lab!) made the key observation: early in rebound, before viral loads diverged, participants who went on to control HIV to low levels had a larger expansion of activated, cycling CD8+ T cells in the blood compared to those who did not control rebound.
Reposted by Rachel Rutishauser
Essential reading if you care about the health of scientific inquiry in the US
www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
The U.S. Is Funding Fewer Grants in Every Area of Science and Medicine
A quiet policy change means the government is making fewer bets on long-term science.
www.nytimes.com
December 2, 2025 at 1:10 PM
Essential reading if you care about the health of scientific inquiry in the US
www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
Thoughtful coverage of our study from various outlets. 🧵
1/ The SF Chonicle: www.sfchronicle.com/health/artic...
1/ The SF Chonicle: www.sfchronicle.com/health/artic...
‘Is this my last pill ever?’ UCSF therapy offers patients a hint at a cure for HIV
Seven of 10 volunteers kept HIV at bay for months after stopping meds, a rare result scientists call a major step toward a functional cure.
www.sfchronicle.com
December 2, 2025 at 8:26 AM
Thoughtful coverage of our study from various outlets. 🧵
1/ The SF Chonicle: www.sfchronicle.com/health/artic...
1/ The SF Chonicle: www.sfchronicle.com/health/artic...
1/ We are making progress towards finding a cure for HIV. In a trial @UCSF led by Steve Deeks and @michaelpelusomd.bsky.social, 7/10 participants who received a combination of immunotherapies achieved partial control of HIV after stopping antiretroviral therapy (ART).🧵 www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Correlates of HIV-1 control after combination immunotherapy - Nature
Nature - Correlates of HIV-1 control after combination immunotherapy
www.nature.com
December 2, 2025 at 6:50 AM
1/ We are making progress towards finding a cure for HIV. In a trial @UCSF led by Steve Deeks and @michaelpelusomd.bsky.social, 7/10 participants who received a combination of immunotherapies achieved partial control of HIV after stopping antiretroviral therapy (ART).🧵 www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Reposted by Rachel Rutishauser
“The National AIDS Memorial, through a partnership with the AIDS Quilt Touch team, presents all 50,000 panels of the AIDS Memorial Quilt in an interactive experience so people around the world can experience the beauty of the Quilt and witness the love and stories stitched into each panel.”
Interactive AIDS Quilt
The National AIDS Memorial, through a partnership with the AIDS Quilt Touch team, presents all 48,000 panels of the AIDS Memorial Quilt in an interactive experience People around the world can experie...
www.aidsmemorial.org
December 1, 2025 at 11:19 PM
“The National AIDS Memorial, through a partnership with the AIDS Quilt Touch team, presents all 50,000 panels of the AIDS Memorial Quilt in an interactive experience so people around the world can experience the beauty of the Quilt and witness the love and stories stitched into each panel.”
Reposted by Rachel Rutishauser
For the first time in decades, the federal government refuses to acknowledge World AIDS Day. But we are prepared for this fight, and we won't let them harm our community. We have built systems of care, fought for our rights, and protected each other through every wave of hate. We are ready.
December 2, 2025 at 2:08 AM
For the first time in decades, the federal government refuses to acknowledge World AIDS Day. But we are prepared for this fight, and we won't let them harm our community. We have built systems of care, fought for our rights, and protected each other through every wave of hate. We are ready.
Reposted by Rachel Rutishauser
Correlates of HIV-1 control after combination immunotherapy @rrutishauser.bsky.social @ucsfhividgm.bsky.social @nature.com
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
December 1, 2025 at 5:24 PM
Correlates of HIV-1 control after combination immunotherapy @rrutishauser.bsky.social @ucsfhividgm.bsky.social @nature.com
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Reposted by Rachel Rutishauser
T cells with stem-cell-like properties could work with antibody therapies to control HIV after a person stops taking antiviral pills @nature.com
www.nature.com/articles/d41... @drjli.bsky.social
www.nature.com/articles/s41... @ragoninstitute.bsky.social
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
www.nature.com/articles/d41... @drjli.bsky.social
www.nature.com/articles/s41... @ragoninstitute.bsky.social
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
December 1, 2025 at 5:10 PM
T cells with stem-cell-like properties could work with antibody therapies to control HIV after a person stops taking antiviral pills @nature.com
www.nature.com/articles/d41... @drjli.bsky.social
www.nature.com/articles/s41... @ragoninstitute.bsky.social
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
www.nature.com/articles/d41... @drjli.bsky.social
www.nature.com/articles/s41... @ragoninstitute.bsky.social
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Reposted by Rachel Rutishauser
This #WorldAIDSDay, help us call on Congress to fully fund federal HIV programs: idsociety.quorum.us/campaign/148...
December 1, 2025 at 4:21 PM
This #WorldAIDSDay, help us call on Congress to fully fund federal HIV programs: idsociety.quorum.us/campaign/148...
Reposted by Rachel Rutishauser
Fear and uncertainty hang over much of the HIV community this #WorldAIDSDay as we reflect on lives lost, progress made and current efforts to unravel our country’s HIV response. Action must follow our reflection this year.
Our statement: https://bit.ly/4ot4mOi
Our statement: https://bit.ly/4ot4mOi
December 1, 2025 at 2:56 PM
Fear and uncertainty hang over much of the HIV community this #WorldAIDSDay as we reflect on lives lost, progress made and current efforts to unravel our country’s HIV response. Action must follow our reflection this year.
Our statement: https://bit.ly/4ot4mOi
Our statement: https://bit.ly/4ot4mOi
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.