News · The Raphael Lab · June 2026
News · The Raphael Lab · June 2026
News.
News.
Milestones from the lab, alongside developments shaping brain–tumor immunology more broadly. We’re a young group, building actively — this is where we keep the record.
Milestones from the lab, alongside developments shaping brain–tumor immunology more broadly. We’re a young group, building actively — this is where we keep the record.
Latest from the lab
Latest from the lab
Lab updates
Lab updates
Jun 2026
Jun 2026
A warm welcome to Dr. Vipin Sharma joining the lab as a postdoctoral researcher to lead the tumor-immune cross-talk work. Stay tuned as we take our work to the next level.
A warm welcome to Dr. Vipin Sharma joining the lab as a postdoctoral researcher to lead the tumor-immune cross-talk work. Stay tuned as we take our work to the next level.
May 2026
May 2026
We are thrilled to win the Ian’s Friends Foundation Pediatric Brain Tumor Innovation Challenge! This incredible award will be instrumental in accelerating our research and pushing the boundaries of what is possible for pediatric neuro-oncology.
We are thrilled to win the Ian’s Friends Foundation Pediatric Brain Tumor Innovation Challenge! This incredible award will be instrumental in accelerating our research and pushing the boundaries of what is possible for pediatric neuro-oncology.
APR 2026
APR 2026
We are honored to join the prestigious Zuckerman STEM Leadership Program. This incredible milestone provides vital support to fuel our research and drive next-generation scientific breakthroughs. A massive thank you to the Zuckerman Family Foundation for investing in our vision.
We are honored to join the prestigious Zuckerman STEM Leadership Program. This incredible milestone provides vital support to fuel our research and drive next-generation scientific breakthroughs. A massive thank you to the Zuckerman Family Foundation for investing in our vision.
feb 2026
feb 2026
Dr. Itay Raphael receives the Aryeh Kluger Award in pediatric neuro-oncology research under the young investigator category at the ILANIT/FISEB Conference. This meaningful recognition is a true honor that inspires our team to work even harder at advancing translational immunotherapy for children fighting brain tumors.
Dr. Itay Raphael receives the Aryeh Kluger Award in pediatric neuro-oncology research under the young investigator category at the ILANIT/FISEB Conference. This meaningful recognition is a true honor that inspires our team to work even harder at advancing translational immunotherapy for children fighting brain tumors.
jan 2026
jan 2026
The Raphael Lab officially opens at Hadassah–Ein Karem.
The Raphael Lab officially opens at Hadassah–Ein Karem.
From the field
From the field
Immunology and cancer research
Immunology and cancer research
A curated selection of notable developments in tumor immunology, neuro-oncology, and immunoregulation — not necessarily from our lab, but close to the questions we care about.
A curated selection of notable developments in tumor immunology, neuro-oncology, and immunoregulation — not necessarily from our lab, but close to the questions we care about.
brain tumor Biology · cancer cell
brain tumor Biology · cancer cell
Multiomic integration reveals tumoral heterogeneity of lipid dependence within lethal group 3 medulloblastoma
Medulloblastoma is the most common malignant pediatric brain tumor, with MYC-driven group 3 tumors exhibiting the highest rates of metastasis and worst clinical outcomes. Devising targeted therapies has been severely hindered by the biological complexity and heterogeneity of these aggressive tumors. Now, a study in Cancer Cell by Bernardi et al. maps metabolic vulnerabilities in medulloblastoma and discovered that primary group 3 tumors display significant metabolic heterogeneity, specifically in their dependence on lipid pathways. The team demonstrated that MYC triggers extensive lipid storage, creating an absolute dependence on direct lipid droplet-mitochondria communication to sustain tumor maintenance. This landmark work reveals a highly targetable metabolic vulnerability downstream of MYC, opening a promising new therapeutic avenue to treat aggressive medulloblastoma subtypes.
Medulloblastoma is the most common malignant pediatric brain tumor, with MYC-driven group 3 tumors exhibiting the highest rates of metastasis and worst clinical outcomes. Devising targeted therapies has been severely hindered by the biological complexity and heterogeneity of these aggressive tumors. Now, a study in Cancer Cell by Bernardi et al. maps metabolic vulnerabilities in medulloblastoma and discovered that primary group 3 tumors display significant metabolic heterogeneity, specifically in their dependence on lipid pathways. The team demonstrated that MYC triggers extensive lipid storage, creating an absolute dependence on direct lipid droplet-mitochondria communication to sustain tumor maintenance. This landmark work reveals a highly targetable metabolic vulnerability downstream of MYC, opening a promising new therapeutic avenue to treat aggressive medulloblastoma subtypes.
IMMUNE TOLERANCE · NATURE
IMMUNE TOLERANCE · NATURE
Polyclonal selection of immune checkpoint mutations in thyroid autoimmunity
The molecular mechanisms that allow self-reactive lymphocytes to bypass peripheral tolerance checkpoints and trigger autoimmune disease remain poorly understood. Now, a pioneering study in Nature by Nicola et al. utilizes an ultra-accurate single-molecule DNA sequencing protocol called NanoSeq to map somatic evolution in autoimmune thyroid disease. The researchers discovered that highly inflamed tissue acts as an evolutionary sandbox where hundreds of independent B cell clones convergently acquire loss-of-function mutations in key immune checkpoint genes. The team mapped a multi-stage, polyclonal cascade where self-reactive B cells accumulate driver mutations to systematically dismantle tolerance constraints. This landmark work provides powerful evidence that somatic evolution plays a causal role in driving classical autoimmune pathology.
The molecular mechanisms that allow self-reactive lymphocytes to bypass peripheral tolerance checkpoints and trigger autoimmune disease remain poorly understood. Now, a pioneering study in Nature by Nicola et al. utilizes an ultra-accurate single-molecule DNA sequencing protocol called NanoSeq to map somatic evolution in autoimmune thyroid disease. The researchers discovered that highly inflamed tissue acts as an evolutionary sandbox where hundreds of independent B cell clones convergently acquire loss-of-function mutations in key immune checkpoint genes. The team mapped a multi-stage, polyclonal cascade where self-reactive B cells accumulate driver mutations to systematically dismantle tolerance constraints. This landmark work provides powerful evidence that somatic evolution plays a causal role in driving classical autoimmune pathology.
Apr 2026
Read →
Read →
CANCER IMMUNOLOGY · IMMUNITY
CANCER IMMUNOLOGY · IMMUNITY
Tumor-draining lymph nodes in ovarian cancer lack germinal centers but harbor tumor-reactive memory B cells clonally linked to intra-tumoral B cells
While the presence of B cells within high-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC) is known to correlate with a favorable prognosis, the specific immunological contribution of tumor-draining lymph nodes (TDLNs) has long remained a mystery. Now, a study published in Immunity by Nathan et al. discovered that patient-derived TDLNs are largely devoid of active germinal center responses, plasma cells, and T follicular helper cells. Instead, these draining lymph nodes are dominated by quiescent, class-switched memory B cells that carry mutated antibodies highly reactive to ovarian tumor cells. The lack of active germinal centers in the TDLNs correlated with an accumulation of suppressive macrophages. Thus, TDLNs function as a critical, quiet reservoir of tumor-specific immunological memory that directly shapes the intra-tumoral immune response.
While the presence of B cells within high-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC) is known to correlate with a favorable prognosis, the specific immunological contribution of tumor-draining lymph nodes (TDLNs) has long remained a mystery. Now, a study published in Immunity by Nathan et al. discovered that patient-derived TDLNs are largely devoid of active germinal center responses, plasma cells, and T follicular helper cells. Instead, these draining lymph nodes are dominated by quiescent, class-switched memory B cells that carry mutated antibodies highly reactive to ovarian tumor cells. The lack of active germinal centers in the TDLNs correlated with an accumulation of suppressive macrophages. Thus, TDLNs function as a critical, quiet reservoir of tumor-specific immunological memory that directly shapes the intra-tumoral immune response.
Funders & partners
Funders & partners
With gratitude
The lab’s science is made possible by the generous support of the foundations, agencies, and programs below — thank you for backing early, ambitious work in neuro-oncology and immunology.
The lab’s science is made possible by the generous support of the foundations, agencies, and programs below — thank you for backing early, ambitious work in neuro-oncology and immunology.
