LIH immunometabolism expertise recognised in Cell Metabolism

Prof Dirk Brenner featured alongside international experts following LIH-hosted European Immunometabolism Conference

• Experimental and Molecular Immunology
• Department of Infection and Immunity

Prof Dirk Brenner, Head of the Experimental & Molecular Immunology group at the LIH Department of Infection and Immunity (DII), has been featured in a special “Voices” article published in the prestigious scientific journal Cell Metabolism. Bringing together perspectives from leading international researchers following the 2^nd European Immunometabolism Network Conference (EIMN 2026), hosted by LIH in Luxembourg in June, the publication highlights the latest developments and future directions of this rapidly evolving field.

Published in October 2026 under the title “Trajectories in immunometabolism”, the Cell Metabolism article brings together the reflections of internationally recognised scientists on how immunometabolism has evolved, the discoveries that have shaped the field and the challenges that lie ahead. Among the contributors is Prof Dirk Brenner, one of Europe’s leading experts in immunometabolism, whose research at LIH focuses on understanding how metabolic processes regulate immune cell function and contribute to health and disease.

Immunometabolism has emerged as a major area of biomedical research, revealing that metabolism does much more than simply provide energy to immune cells: it actively determines how they develop, respond to threats and function in different environments. Understanding these mechanisms could open new avenues for the treatment of diseases involving immune dysfunction, including cancer, autoimmune and inflammatory disorders.

In his contribution, entitled “The next decade will be about integration”, Prof Brenner reflects on this fundamental shift in scientific understanding, emphasising the importance of studying immune cells within their actual tissue environments, where nutrient availability and metabolic conditions influence their behaviour. He also highlights the need to move beyond laboratory models and translate these discoveries into clinically relevant strategies.

I expect the coming decade to be defined less by the discovery of new pathways than by the integration of known ones into clinical strategies

states Prof Brenner, pointing to the growing potential of immunometabolism to inform the development of more targeted therapeutic approaches.

The publication also reflects the international visibility of LIH in this research field. Between June 10^th and 12^th 2026, LIH organised and hosted the 2^nd European Immunometabolism Network Conference, bringing together 170 scientists and clinicians from 21 countries. Chaired by Prof Brenner, the event provided a platform for scientific exchange, the presentation of cutting-edge research and the development of new international collaborations. The conference also placed particular emphasis on supporting early-career researchers, with 98 scientific posters presented during the meeting.

The inclusion of Prof Brenner’s perspective in Cell Metabolism, alongside those of other prominent researchers in the field, further highlights his scientific leadership and LIH’s contribution to advancing immunometabolism research internationally. Together with the successful organisation of EIMN 2026, it underscores the institute’s commitment to fostering scientific excellence, international collaboration and research that may ultimately contribute to better prevention and treatment of immune-related diseases.

The Cell Metabolism Voices article can be accessed here.