L'Italo-Americano

www.italoamericano.org 8 THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2025 L'Italo-Americano studies show that early-life nutrition affects predisposi- tion to allergies and other immune-related conditions. K e y c o m p o n e n t s o f t h e Mediterranean diet, such as olive oil and fresh or cooked vegetables, have well-docu- mented benefits. For Ital- ians living abroad, an inter- e s t i n g a p p r o a c h i s t o combine traditional ingredi- ents, like Italian olive oil, with high-quality local prod- u c t s , s u c h a s C a l i f o r n i a - grown vegetables and fish, creating a blend of cultural memory and local availabili- ty. D o e s d i e t i n f l u e n c e e v e r y o n e i n t h e s a m e way? No. Diet's impact varies by age, sex, and individual characteristics. For exam- ple, a young woman metab- olizes Omega oils more effi- c i e n t l y t h a n a n o l d e r w o m a n , w h o m a y b e n e f i t f r o m a m o r e d i v e r s i f i e d intake. This highlights the importance of viewing diet as part of a personalized, integrated health approach rather than a one-size-fits- all model. R e t u r n i n g t o y o u r research: what progress h a v e y o u m a d e i n t h e field of infectious dis- d i s o r d e r s , a l l e r g i e s , a n d other conditions. The aim is to give researchers around the world immediate and f r e e a c c e s s t o o r g a n i z e d , e a s i l y s e a r c h a b l e d a t a . R e s e a r c h e r s c a n u s e o u r d a t a b a s e s t o o b t a i n a detailed, customizable syn- thesis of several sources, based on their specific selec- t i o n s . T h e f i r s t d a t a b a s e launched in 2003, meaning more than twenty years of work that actually anticipat- e d c o n c e p t s n o w a p p l i e d using AI tools, but with an added value: all information is peer-reviewed, verified, and validated by the scien- tific community. In addition to managing the databases, our work focuses on infec- tious diseases and neurode- generative conditions. What role does nutri- tion play in determining w h o d e v e l o p s a m o r e e f f e c t i v e i m m u n e response? A healthy diet, like the M e d i t e r r a n e a n d i e t , h a s positive effects on general health, the microbiome, and i m m u n e f u n c t i o n . T h e microbiome is essential: it helps the immune system distinguish between harmful microorganisms and harm- l e s s s y m b i o n t s . S e v e r a l eases? D u r i n g t h e C O V I D - 1 9 pandemic, we were the first group to publish detailed d a t a o n t h e i m m u n e response of infected individ- uals, focusing particularly on those who experienced mild disease. The idea was to understand what charac- terizes an effective immune response: people who recov- e r w i t h o u t c o m p l i c a t i o n s offer valuable clues about t h e i m m u n e m e c h a n i s m s that succeed. These studies a l s o i n f l u e n c e d v a c c i n e d e s i g n , b e c a u s e i d e a l l y a vaccine should replicate the successful immune response observed in those who natu- rally overcome the virus. How can we prevent future pandemics if we don't know which virus will emerge? T h e k e y c o n c e p t i s t o s t u d y p r o t o t y p e v i r u s e s within each family and iden- tify protein sequences that a r e c o n s e r v e d a c r o s s t h e family members. A vaccine t a r g e t i n g t h e s e i m m u n o - genic regions could provide b r o a d e r p r o t e c t i o n , e v e n against emerging viruses not yet seen in humans, helping to mitigate the impact of potential future pandemics. Returning to the con- n e c t i o n b e t w e e n d i e t , l i f e s t y l e c h o i c e s , a n d aging: as a scientist who has studied immunology for more than 40 years, what can you tell us? I t i s i m p o r t a n t t o v i e w diet within the broader con- t e x t o f l i f e s t y l e c h o i c e s . While genetics and environ- ment play significant roles, e a c h o f u s c a n p o s i t i v e l y influence our health through diet, physical activity, and c o n s c i o u s d a i l y c h o i c e s . Studies of communities of c e n t e n a r i a n s s h o w t h a t although genetics affect life e x p e c t a n c y , d a i l y h a b i t s contribute substantially to healthy aging. In short, we can build our own "legacy" through intentional deci- sions, making exercise and nutrition two fundamental pillars in our ability to shape a healthier future. c o 1 8 4 5 , l o c a t e d i n S a n Diego's historic Little Italy. The panel was moderated by Dr. Clarissa Ceruti, Executive Director of ISS- NAF. Dr. Alessandro Sette, w h o h a s d e v o t e d o v e r 3 5 y e a r s t o u n d e r s t a n d i n g i m m u n e r e s p o n s e s a n d d e v e l o p i n g i n t e r v e n t i o n strategies against cancer, a u t o i m m u n i t y , a l l e r g i e s , a n d i n f e c t i o u s d i s e a s e s , spoke about the role of diet a n d c o n s c i o u s l i f e s t y l e choices in modulating the immune system, with an eye t o w a r d p r e v e n t i o n a n d overall well-being. Dr. Sette, you co-lead t h e I m m u n e E p i t o p e D a t a b a s e ( I E D B ) , which, with over 40,000 monthly visits, is now one of the most widely used immunology tools w o r l d w i d e , a s w e l l a s t h e C a n c e r E p i t o p e D a t a b a s e , t w o k e y resources for immuno- logical research. What role do these databases play? These databases catalog all available information on immune responses drawn f r o m s c i e n t i f i c l i t e r a t u r e r e l a t e d t o i n f e c t i o u s d i s - eases, cancer, autoimmune J u s t d a y s a f t e r U N E S C O ' s f i r s t green light to rec- ognize Italian cui- sine as Intangible Cultural Heritage, the Ital- ian Cuisine Week in the World, promoted by the M i n i s t r y o f F o r e i g n Affairs and Internation- al Cooperation, returns to celebrate the dishes that tell o u r s t o r y a n d d e f i n e o u r taste. Among the main partners of the Week in Los Angeles are the Accademia Ital- i a n a d e l l a C u c i n a , Eataly, Giallozafferano, and the La Jolla Institute for Immunology in San Diego, all collaborating on innovative and interactive events that blend cuisine, science, and culture. "Italian Cuisine Week in the World is a unique opportunity to celebrate and share with the Southern California audi- ence the excellence and cre- ativity of Italy's gastronomic tradition," said Raffaella Valentini, Consul Gen- eral of Italy in Los Ange- les. "It is also a moment to highlight the role of Italian food in culture, health, and culinary innovation." For the 10th edition, ded- icated this year to the theme Italian Cuisine: Between H e a l t h , C u l t u r e , a n d I n n o v a t i o n , t h e I t a l i a n Cultural Institute hosted an event that combined gas- t r o n o m y a n d s c i e n c e , exploring the relationship between food, health, and i n n o v a t i o n . T h e e v e n i n g opened with a talk by Pro- fessor Alessandro Sette, a world-renowned Italian i m m u n o l o g i s t r e c e n t l y awarded the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic, fol- l o w e d b y a c o n v e r s a t i o n with Dr. Sonia Sharma, Director of the Center for Sex-based Differences in the I m m u n e S y s t e m ; D r . Jacopo Annese, Founder and Executive Director of the Brain Observatory; and Chef Pietro Gallo of Civi- SILVIA NITTOLI Week of the Italian Cuisine in the World: the role of diet and science according to immunologist Alessandro Sette Immunologist Alessandro Sette during his talk at the Italian Cultural Institute in LA (Photo: Melissa Jacobs) LIFE PEOPLE PLACES HERITAGE TRADITIONS

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