Front Row lecture series
How microbes are rewriting the rules of immunity
Howard Hang, PhD
Chair and Professor, Department of Immunology & Microbiology
Wednesday, October 8, 2025
4:00 p.m. PT | 7:00 p.m. ET
How do microbes influence our immune system, and can we leverage this relationship to combat disease? In this free Front Row lecture, Scripps Research Professor Howard Hang delved into his lab’s innovative work at the intersection of chemistry, microbiology and immunology. By dissecting the molecular dialogues between gut bacteria and human cells, Hang’s research uncovers how microbial enzymes generate small molecules—called microbial metabolites—that can influence immune responses. These insights are paving the way for new treatments against infections, cancer and inflammatory illnesses, highlighting the powerful role that microbes play in shaping human health.
Presented: October 8, 2025
Presentation slides
Key takeaways
How do microbes influence our immune system, and can we leverage this relationship to combat disease? In this free Front Row lecture, Scripps Research Professor Howard Hang delved into his lab’s innovative work at the intersection of chemistry, microbiology and immunology. By dissecting the molecular dialogues between gut bacteria and human cells, Hang’s research uncovers how microbial enzymes generate small molecules—called microbial metabolites—that can influence immune responses. These insights are paving the way for new treatments against infections, cancer and inflammatory illnesses, highlighting the powerful role that microbes play in shaping human health.
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