Dr. Dennis Burton is a preeminent immunologist whose groundbreaking work has reshaped the understanding of antibody responses against highly mutable viruses. He currently serves as Chairman and Professor holding the James & Jessie Minor Chair in Immunology within the Department of Immunology & Microbiology at Scripps Research. After earning his B.A. in Chemistry from Oxford University and his Ph.D. in physical biochemistry from Lund University, Sweden, he established his academic career at the University of Sheffield before joining Scripps Research Institute in 1991. His leadership trajectory includes serving as Chairman of Immunology and Microbial Science from 2015 to 2017 before becoming Chairman of the expanded Immunology and Microbiology department in 2017, reflecting his growing influence in the field.
Dr. Burton pioneered the isolation and characterization of broadly neutralizing antibodies against HIV, establishing foundational principles for vaccine development against challenging pathogens. His groundbreaking research on b12 neutralization and protection, first published in 1997 and expanded through subsequent studies, demonstrated the potential of antibody-mediated immunity against HIV infection in non-human primates. His laboratory's work has been instrumental in identifying elite neutralizers through the IAVI Protocol G initiative and developing reverse vaccinology approaches for HIV, respiratory syncytial virus, and cytomegalovirus. The publication of his team's research in Science in 2020 represented a significant advancement in understanding coronavirus neutralization, with more than 350 peer-reviewed publications documenting his laboratory's contributions to viral immunology.
Beyond his laboratory research, Dr. Burton serves as Scientific Director of the International AIDS Vaccine Initiative Neutralizing Antibody Consortium and Director of The Center for HIV/AIDS Vaccine Immunology and Immunogen Discovery at Scripps, shaping global research agendas in HIV vaccine development. He has been recognized with numerous prestigious honors including multiple NIH Merit Awards, the Bernard Fields Award, and the British Medical Association Book of the Year Award for his contributions to immunology education. His leadership extends to the Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT and Harvard, where he collaborates on cutting-edge immunological research. Currently focused on translating antibody discoveries into practical vaccine strategies, Dr. Burton continues to advance the frontier of immunology through innovative approaches to germline targeting immunogens and rational vaccine design against highly mutable viruses.
