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Dr. Akiko Iwasaki (Sterling Professor of Immunobiology and Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology at Yale University) is the first recipient of Solve’s ME/CFS Catalyst Award in support of her study, “Probing Functional Autoantibodies in Patients with ME/CFS.” In this webinar, Dr. Iwasaki will talk to Solve CEO Emily Taylor about the study, which focuses on a crucial and emerging area of investigation: the role of autoantibodies—antibodies that mistakenly target a person’s own tissues—in the long-term neurological symptoms seen in patients with ME/CFS. Dr. Iwasaki’s lab will investigate whether these autoantibodies can actually cause symptoms such as fatigue, pain, cognitive issues, and motor dysfunction by introducing patient-derived antibodies into mice and analyzing their effects. The team will also use an advanced technology (called HuProt) to scan all human proteins to find which ones are targeted by specific autoantibodies. Autoantibodies against specific human proteins may be effective biomarkers—measurable features that help us diagnose patients quicker or customize how we treat each patient. The study is remarkable because it: • Links Autoimmunity to ME/CFS: Helps determine whether immune system dysfunction is a root cause of neurological [SB3] symptoms in ME/CFS. • Lays the Groundwork for Targeted Treatments: Could identify which patients benefit most from existing immune-based therapies (like B-cell depletion or antibody-blocking drugs). • Advances Diagnostic Tools: Could find biomarkers that lead to the development of long-overdue diagnostic tests. • Bridges the Gap Between Long COVID and ME/CFS: Builds on recent research in long COVID, creating momentum for both communities. • Centers Patient Experience: Is directly informed by the real-life neurological symptoms and struggles of people living with ME/CFS. After her presentation and as time allows, Dr. Iwasaki will take questions from the audience.