Inta Gribonika is one of five early-career scientists recognised for their work. Her research is focused to decipher how living organisms defend their borders from invaders (such as bacteria or viruses) or live at peace with symbionts (microbiota) and how these living borders can be strengthened through vaccination as the ultimate health insurance against future infections.
The project for which Inta Gribonika has been granted the 2026 Michelson Prize: Next Generation Grant:
"Unravelling Cutaneous Humoral Immunity for Topical Barrier Immunization"
Can you explain a little more about your research and why it is important?
”Adaptive immunity – our body’s ultimate defence system against pathogens – consist of two main components: cellular immunity and humoral (antibody-mediated) immunity. Understanding how these responses are initiated at the very frontline of host-pathogen interaction is crucial for developing novel treatment strategies and preventing diseases.”
The first encounter between the body and environmental pathogens takes place at the body’s mucocutaneous barrier surface, such as the skin or the gut. This barrier forms the natural border to the outside world.
”Like any borders, these barrier surfaces must be protected to preserve integrity, balance and health. Importantly – they are inhabited by beneficial microorganisms – collectively known as microbiota – which work in cooperation with the immune system to safeguard the body from infections. Antibodies are the most effective at controlling infections, therefore, I am interested to learn how antibodies form at barrier tissues at homeostasis and upon inflammation, because by understanding what keeps us healthy, we will be able to better understand why sometimes we become ill.
What will you investigate in the research project for which you are now receiving an award?
”Current vaccination strategies primarily induce immune responses within the body, and do not protect barrier surfaces, i.e., are effective only when pathogen has invaded the organism. For decades, one of the major challenges in immunology field has been to develop effective mucosal vaccine that would induce systemic but also tissue intrinsic immunity able to eliminate pathogen before it crosses the border and develops systemic infection. Despite many efforts, we still lack effective mucosal vaccine today.
At the same time, the skin has been a comparatively less explored surface for induction of antibody-mediated immune protection. With the financial support from Michelson Medical Research Foundation the lab’s work will focus on cutaneous surface – I will focus on the skin as a vaccination site. Specifically, we will investigate the homeostatic cooperation between skin microbiota and the skin’s intrinsic immune system, and explore how it can be harnessed to develop topical, non-invasive and effective vaccines."
You are the only one from Europe among the five researchers receiving the grant — how does that feel?
“First, receiving this prestigious award came as a great surprise and is a huge honour. I am very proud to represent Lund University as this year’s recipient. The research environment in Lund is unique, enriching and in many ways exceptional. In my view, it equals that of the most prestigious universities globally. I am very pleased to be in Lund and to establish my own independent research program here. I hope that my example can inspire many girls and young female research trainees to pursue their careers in science within European academic environment. Opportunities exist – everything is possible, no matter the country.”
What does this grant mean for your research?
“The Michelson Prize uniquely recognizes promising researchers who are at the very beginning of their independent research careers. Until this stage, we have been trained and moulded by some of the most talented research supervisors and scientific leaders in the field, in my case Professors Nils Lycke (University of Gothenburg, Sweden) and Yasmine Belkaid (NIAID/NIH, USA). This Prize is therefore also a testament to their exceptional mentorship.
Receiving the Prize will give the initial financial push to establish my own independent research program, inspired by the time I have spent in the labs of my mentors. It will allow me to pursue my scientific curiosities – to explore unique questions that are not otherwise asked – and give me the opportunity to develop as a scientific leader myself. Beyond advancing human medicine, I am determined to educate next generation scientists. I am truly honoured to receive this Prize, and I look forward to the novel research directions that it will enable.”