Prof Dr. sonja schrepfer | Hypoimmune Platform | United States
Dr. Sonja Schrepfer is a Professor of Surgery at the prestigious University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), where she has held tenure since 2015. She is also an Affiliated Member at the Gladstone-UCSF Institute of Genomic Immunology and the Scientific Founder and Senior Vice President at Sana Biotechnology Inc., heading the revolutionary Hypo-Immune Platform.
Professional Profile
Scopus
👩⚕️ Academic and Professional Journey
Dr. Sonja Schrepfer, MD, PhD, is a globally recognized leader in the fields of transplant immunology, stem cell biology, and regenerative medicine. She is a Professor of Surgery at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), and an Affiliated Member at the Gladstone-UCSF Institute of Genomic Immunology. In addition, she serves as the Scientific Founder and Senior Vice President at Sana Biotechnology Inc., heading their Hypo-Immune Platform. Dr. Schrepfer has seamlessly blended academia with biotechnology to develop revolutionary approaches to tissue transplantation and immune modulation. Her journey began with an MD degree in 2001 from the University of Würzburg, Germany, followed by a PhD in Immunology in 2007. Over the years, she has held prestigious academic positions at renowned institutions such as Stanford University, University Hamburg, and UCSF, where her work has earned her tenure and global acclaim.
🧪 Research and Innovations
Dr. Sonja Schrepfer is a pioneering figure in the fields of immunology and regenerative medicine, where her work seamlessly integrates scientific discovery with clinical applications. Her research in Pluripotent Stem Cell (PSC) Immunobiology focuses on overcoming the challenges of transplant rejection by exploring immune evasion strategies. Leading transformative studies at UCSF, she has advanced the development of hypo-immunogenic tissues and organs, revolutionizing transplantation outcomes. In transplant immunology, her lab investigates the mechanisms behind acute and chronic graft rejection. By leveraging gene-editing technologies, Dr. Schrepfer is addressing the global organ shortage crisis with innovative solutions, including the creation of safe and effective transplantable human organs.
🏆 Awards and Honors
Dr. Schrepfer’s outstanding contributions to medicine and science have garnered her numerous prestigious accolades. She received the 2022 BWB Biology Breakthrough Award and the 2021 California Life Sciences Pantheon Award, recognizing her groundbreaking advancements. Her earlier achievements include the 2019 Galenus-von-Pergamon Medal in Basic Science Medicine and the 2015 Paul Martini Prize for pioneering cardiovascular therapies. Additionally, her commitment to nurturing the next generation of scientists is reflected in the multiple Mentor Awards she has received from The Transplantation Society.
🧑🏫 Teaching and Mentorship
A passionate educator, Dr. Schrepfer has been actively involved in teaching and mentoring students at all academic levels. At UCSF, she plays a key role in the Biomedical Sciences Program and the Medical School Space Medicine curriculum, where her expertise enriches the learning experience. Throughout her career, she has mentored numerous medical fellows, postdoctoral researchers, and undergraduates, fostering a supportive environment that cultivates excellence in both research and clinical practice.
🔬 Main Research Interests
Dr. Schrepfer’s research spans critical areas of biomedical science. Her work in PSC Immunobiology drives advancements in regenerative medicine, particularly through the development of hypo-immunogenic stem cells. In the realm of transplant immunology, she focuses on creating genome-engineered tissues that aim to improve the safety and efficacy of transplantation practices, contributing to transformative progress in healthcare.
🌍 Professional Activities and Leadership
Dr. Schrepfer is an active leader in several prominent international scientific societies, including the American Society of Transplantation, the International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation, and the International Society for Stem Cell Research (ISSCR). Beyond her membership, she plays key roles in editorial boards and conference committees, where her expertise helps shape the future of these fields on a global scale.
Publications Top Noted📚
Leukotriene B4: A potential mediator and biomarker for cardiac allograft vasculopathy
Authors: Wang, D., Tediashvili, G., Kim, D., Schrepfer, S., Khush, K.K.
Journal: Journal of Heart and Lung Transplantation
Year: 2024
Hypoimmune islets achieve insulin independence after allogeneic transplantation in a fully immunocompetent non-human primate
Authors: Hu, X., White, K., Young, C., Deuse, T., Schrepfer, S.
Journal: Cell Stem Cell
Year: 2024
Hypoimmune induced pluripotent stem cells survive long term in fully immunocompetent, allogeneic rhesus macaques
Authors: Hu, X., White, K., Olroyd, A.G., Deuse, T., Schrepfer, S.
Journal: Nature Biotechnology
Year: 2024
Hypoimmune anti-CD19 chimeric antigen receptor T cells provide lasting tumor control in fully immunocompetent allogeneic humanized mice
Authors: Hu, X., Manner, K., DeJesus, R., Foster, A.E., Schrepfer, S.
Journal: Nature Communications
Year: 2023
Synthetic immune checkpoint engagers protect HLA-deficient iPSCs and derivatives from innate immune cell cytotoxicity
Authors: Gravina, A., Tediashvili, G., Zheng, Y., Schrepfer, S., Deuse, T.
Journal: Cell Stem Cell
Year: 2023