Asya Rolls

Faculty of life science Tel Aviv University

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Title

Immunoception: how the brain represents immunological states

Abstract

The synchronization between the external environment and an organism’s internal state is crucial for survival. The immune system serves as a sensitive indicator of disturbances caused by both internal and external factors, and plays a central role in maintaining tissue homeostasis. Accordingly, central nervous system monitoring and regulation of immune function is vital for orchestrating appropriate physiological responses. In this talk, I will explore emerging insights into how the brain represents and modulates immune states, what we term immunoception. I will present recent findings on the neural encoding of immune information and discuss the implications of this brain-immune dialogue for health and disease. Finally, I will address how these mechanisms may underlie therapeutic benefits, as well as potential risks such as the development of psychosomatic disorders.

Biosketch

Prof. Asya Rolls is a researcher at the department of neuroscince biophysics and biochemistry at Tel Aviv University. She studies how the brain regulates immunity and how mental states can reflect in the organism’s ability to cope with disease. Rolls is the recipient of several ERC grants (Starting, Consolidator and POC) from the European Research Council and was selected as one of 40 International Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) investigators in collaboration with the Wellcome Trust (2018-2023).