Luis Graca

Luis Graca (MD from Lisbon, PhD from Oxford), post-docs in Oxford and in Perth, Australia. Currently Full Professor of Immunology and Vice-Dean at the University of Lisbon Medical School, and group leader at the Instituto de Medicina Molecular (IMM). The main focus of my research is the regulation of immune pathology, namely with therapeutic monoclonal antibodies and regulatory T (Treg) cells. I have been exploring the concept that, in the same way specialized inflammatory responses are necessary for optimal immunity, specialized regulatory mechanisms should also be present. While probing this concept, I discovered the existence of Foxp3+ iNKT cells (2009) and, more recently, T follicular regulatory (Tfr) cells specialized in regulating humoral responses (2011, >380 citations). I recently made further significant contributions on the regulation of humoral responses and autoimmunity in humans, all published in high-impact journals. These include: 1) showing that Treg and Tfr cells have similar TCR usage, biased to self-antigens, and distinct from Tfh cells: Maceiras (…) Graca (2017) Tfh and Tfr cells from the same germinal centers have different TCR-specificity. Nature Commun. 8:15067. 2) The first comprehensive study of the biology of human Tfr cells in circulation, lymphoid tissue, and following influenza vaccination: Fonseca (…) Graca (2017) Human blood CXCR5+Foxp3+ T cells are indicators of ongoing humoral activity not fully licensed with suppressive function. Science Immunol. 2, eaan1487. 3) The usefulness of Tfh subsets as biomarkers in human autoimmunity, which led to a patent application: Fonseca (…) Graca L (2018) “The Ratio of Blood Tfr to Tfh Cells Marks Ectopic Lymphoid Structure Formation While Activated Tfh Cells Indicate Disease Activity in Primary Sjögren's Syndrome”. Arthritis Rheumatol. 70:774-784. 4) An extensive study, based on single-cell RNAseq, on the adaptation of Tfh and Tfr cells to human lymph nodes and tonsils where they achieve full maturation: Kumar (…) Graca (2021). “Developmental bifurcation of human T follicular regulatory cells”. Science Immunol. 6: eabd8411. 5) A study showing that hybrid immunity, induced following natural infection of vaccinated persons, confers heightened protection against SARS-CoV-2 Omicron BA.5 infection: Malato (...) Graca (2022) "Risk of BA.5 Infection among Persons Exposed to Previous SARS-CoV-2 Variants". New Engl J Med. doi: 10.1056/NEJMc2209479. My preeminence in the field led to invitations to write important reviews (examples: Immunol Rev 2019, Nature Rev Rheumatol, 2019), presentations in major conferences, election to editor-in-chief of the European Federation of Immunology Societies (EFIS) official journal, as president of the Portuguese Society of Immunology, and as president of the Portuguese Medical Sciences Society (the oldest medical society in Europe). I was invited to co-chair the National Advisory Group for COVID-19 Vaccination in 2020, representing the country in vaccination-related meetings at the WHO and ECDC. One highlight of my career was the definition of the national COVID-19 vaccination plan, incorporating the best immunology evidence and transparent public communication, leading to overall population acceptance and broad vaccination coverage, recognized as one of the best vaccination programs in the World. Active participation in activities to increase health and scientific literacy, including open days, public lectures, and frequent appearances in the media (television, radio, and printed press). Long-standing collaboration with visual artists exploring the interface between art and biomedical sciences. Graca has hosted over 12 visual artists in the lab over the years and participated in collaborative artworks with artist Marta de Menezes subsequently exhibited internationally (Linz, New York, Beijing, Berlin, Toronto, St Petersburg, Amsterdam). Graca was scientific advisor for cultural initiatives, including European Capital of Culture, international art-science festivals, and conferences, and authored several articles on art and biology. Graca is considered one of the leading international experts on art/science collaborations.