Andrea Ablasser

Andrea Ablasser is a Full Professor at École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), affiliated with the School of Life Sciences, the Global Health Institute (GHI), and the Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology. She leads the Ablasser Lab, focusing on innate immunity and host defense mechanisms.

Her research centers on the molecular basis of pathogen detection, particularly the cGAS-STING signaling pathway, which is crucial in immunity against infections and cancer. Her work spans nucleic acid sensing, inflammatory regulation, aging-related inflammation, and autoimmune disorders. Recent studies explore mitochondrial DNA-driven inflammation, epigenetic regulation of immune responses, and the role of cGAS-STING in neurodegeneration.

The trends in her recent publications show a strong focus on innate immune signaling, with recurring themes in cGAS/STING regulation, nucleic acid sensing, and immune homeostasis. Her work combines molecular biology, cell biology, and translational approaches, often published in high-impact journals like Nature, Science, and Nature Immunology.

Andrea Ablasser has been honored with several prestigious awards, including:

• Paul Ehrlich and Ludwig Darmstaedter Prize 2025
• Liliane Bettencourt Prize for Life Sciences
• Clarivate Highly Cited Researcher 2024

She mentors multiple PhD students and is actively involved in academic governance as a member of the EPFL Academic Strategic Committee and the Doctoral Program in Molecular Life Sciences. She contributes to teaching through courses such as Immunology - advances and therapeutic implications and practical lab instruction. Her lab is supported by competitive research funding, reflecting its impact in immunology and molecular medicine.