Nutritional Modulation of Inflammation and Immunity

Formerly The Nutritional Immunology Across the Lifespan Conference, this returning meeting will focus on how diet affects immunity in diseases such as cancer, obesity, neurodegeneration, asthma, gastrointestinal conditions, and infectious diseases. As a relatively unique program within a rapidly evolving field, researchers studying nutritional immunology will collaborate and create new opportunities for discovery in this field.

With the continued rise in chronic metabolic diseases, there is a heightened interest in understanding the role of nutrition within the field of immunity. Understanding the mechanisms underlying the impact of dietary patterns and specific nutrients on metabolic interactions between immune cells and their environment can have therapeutic applications. 

This conference will provide a platform for cross-disciplinary researchers and clinicians to collaborate and develop novel research and therapeutic approaches to improve health outcomes. Investigations that utilize innovative tools or have translational findings will be emphasized. This will include topics such as how diet can impact immune function, the efficacy of vaccines, and cancer therapies. This conference will also examine how nutritional immunology affects the respiratory, neurological, gastrointestinal, and cardiopulmonary systems. This is especially prevalent today, with federal agencies and private industry invested in the importance of nutrition and advancing research-driven therapeutic approaches to the market.

Attendees will learn about:

· The interactions between nutrition and immunity, and their application to the gastrointestinal tract, brain, liver, adipose, cardiovascular, respiratory, and directly in the organs of the immune system.

· How dietary interventions can modulate immune function.

· The role of T cells in tolerance and autoimmunity.

· Translation of research and clinical findings into public health strategies.

Program Topics

• Interactions between nutrition and immunity

• Role of diet in inflammation

• Mechanisms influencing immunity in host-associated bacterial communities 

• Impact of nutritional status on immune cell development and function

• Role of the gut-brain axis in immunity

• Impact of obesity and metabolic dysregulation on immunity

• Nutritional effects on hepatic inflammation

• Retinoids and immunity

Workshops

Early-career scientists and accomplished investigators will come together for Meet the Experts. Participants will discuss their scientific findings and methodologies as well as their careers within industry, government, publishing, and academia.

A Career Development Workshop will focus on funding within nutritional and immunity science research. The program will feature experienced panelists discussing "Landscape of Funding in Nutrition" with graduate students, postdocs, and early‐career investigators. Representatives from major funding organizations will provide attendees with insight into grant mechanisms, budgets, and long-term funding strategies.