International Society for Immunology of Reproduction (ISIR)
Joanne Kwak-Kim, MD
President, ISIR
Updated and Expanded Historical Overview
The International Society for Immunology of Reproduction (ISIR) serves as the premier global platform for scientific exchange and collaboration in reproductive immunology. Over the decades, ISIR has been instrumental in advancing our understanding of maternal-fetal immune interactions, gamete immunology, reproductive tract infections, immunogenetics, and assisted reproductive technologies. From its roots in the 1960s to its upcoming 16th Congress in 2026, the Society has played a central role in shaping this interdisciplinary field that bridges reproductive medicine, immunology, and molecular biology.
Origins and Founding (1967–1975)
The roots of the International Society for Immunology of Reproduction (ISIR) reach back to 1967, when Professor Kiril Bratanov of Bulgaria, a pioneer in the emerging field of reproductive immunology, organized the First International Symposium on the Immunology of Spermatozoa and Fertilization in Varna, Bulgaria. This symposium attracted participants from over 20 countries and representatives of international organizations such as the World Health Organization (WHO) and Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).
Prof. K. Bratanov. First president of ISIR.
During this pivotal event, the International Coordination Committee for Immunology of Reproduction (ICCIR) was established to foster international collaboration and advance research in reproductive immunology. Professor Bratanov served as its first president, alongside notable colleagues such as R. Edwards (Secretary General), S. Shulman (Vice President), and others. The ICCIR was formally registered in Paris and Sofia, with offices in both Sofia and Cambridge.
In 1969, ICCIR organized a landmark meeting titled “Immunology and Reproduction” at WHO headquarters in Geneva, where a steering committee was formalized. This period marked significant momentum in the discipline, catalyzing a wave of fundamental and clinical research worldwide.
The foundation of ISIR took place in 1975 during the Third Symposium in Varna, formally evolving from the ICCIR. Again, led by Professor Bratanov, ISIR emerged to support and organize regular congresses, unify researchers worldwide, and promote academic exchange. This development symbolized the institutionalization of reproductive immunology as a discipline.
Picture of Robert Edwards at the First International Symposium of Immunology
of Spermatozoa and Fertilization and the Foundation of ICCIR.
Maturation and Global Expansion
Since 1975, ISIR has held triennial international congresses on various continents, including Europe, North America, Asia, and Australia. These congresses are critical for presenting cutting-edge research and for fostering global collaboration.
ISIR has also served as an umbrella organization for various regional societies, including:
- AASIR – Alps Adria Society for Immunology of Reproduction
- ESRADI – European Society of Reproductive and Developmental Immunology
- BSI–RIG – British Society for Immunology-Reproductive Immunology Group
- ASRI – American Society for Reproductive Immunology
- JSRI – Japanese Society for Reproductive Immunology
- ESRI – European Society for Reproductive Immunology
Many of these regional groups have maintained close collaboration with ISIR, and some have merged with larger continental organizations over time.
ISIR is affiliated with the Journal of Reproductive Immunology, which serves as the primary platform for publishing congress proceedings and new research.
ISIR also supports young investigators by offering travel awards and mentorship opportunities, thereby promoting the growth of future leaders in the field.
Development and ISIR Congresses
ISIR has held its international congresses every three years since its foundation, each hosted in different countries to reflect the society’s global mission. These meetings have served as essential platforms for scientific exchange and have significantly contributed to the maturation of the field.
ISIR Congresses:
- 1980 Paris, France G. Voisin
- 1983 Kyoto, Japan S. Isojima
- 1986 Toronto, Canada D. A. Clark
- 1989 Kiel, Germany L. Mettler
- 1992 Rome, Italy F. Dondero
- 1995 Washington, USA C. Coulam
- 1998 New Delhi, India S. Kumar Gupta
- 2001 Opatija, Croatia D. Rukavina
- 2004 Hakone, Japan T. Makino
- 2007 Opatija, Croatia D. Rukavina
- 2010 Cairns, Australia S. A. Robertson
- 2013 Boston, USA C. Wira, G. Mor, S. Sharma
- 2016 Nara, Japan S. Saito
- 2023 Hamburg, Germany S. Blois, A. Diemert
- 2026 Busan, Korea S. Dambaeva, B. Lamarca, S Lee.
*2007 The X International Congress of Reproductive Immunology was held under the high patronage of Mr. Stjepan Mesic, President of the Republic of Croatia.
Scientific Contributions and Journal Affiliation
ISIR maintains an official affiliation with the Journal of Reproductive Immunology, a key platform for publishing research presented at its congresses. This has helped advance knowledge across a spectrum of topics—from gamete and embryo immunology to maternal-fetal tolerance and reproductive tract infections.
Legacy of Founders and Key Figures
Two Nobel laureates are closely associated with the founding spirit of ISIR:
- Sir Peter Medawar, widely regarded as the “father of reproductive immunology,” developed the theory of immune tolerance—a foundational concept explaining how the maternal immune system accepts the fetus. His work with Rupert E. Billingham led to the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1960, jointly with Sir Frank Macfarlane Burnet.
- Professor Robert G. Edwards, the Secretary General of the ICCIR and co-founder of ISIR, was awarded the Nobel Prize in 2010 for the development of in vitro fertilization (IVF). His early publications on reproductive immunology and involvement in forming the ICCIR helped define the society’s early scientific mission.
References
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kiril_Bratanov
https://doi.org/10.1093/oxfordjournals.humrep.a136636
Leadership and Structure
ISIR is governed by a team of officers and councilors. As of the 2023–2026 term:
- President: Dr. Joanne Kwak-Kim
- President-Elect: Prof. Surendra Sharma
- Immediate Past President: Dr. Satish Kumar Gupta
- Treasurer: Dr. Atsushi Fukui
- Secretary-General: Dr. Sandra Blois
- Along with 10 elected councilors.
A full list of past presidents is available on the ISIR website.
Five officers and 10 councilors lead the society. Dr. Kwak-Kim is the 14th president of ISIR (2023-2026), and works with the President-elect, Surendra Sharma; the immediate past president, Satish Kumar Gupta; the Treasurer, Atsushi Fukui; the Secretary-general, Sandra Blois; and 10 councilors.
Past presidents of the society are listed on the website: https://theisir.org/past-presidents/.
The major goal of the International Society for Immunology of Reproduction (ISIR) is to bring together clinicians and scientists to discuss contemporary topics in reproductive immunology, including gamete immunology, maternal-fetal immune responses during normal and abnormal pregnancies, mucosal immunity in the reproductive tract, reproductive tract infection and vaccination, etc., share their research results concerning important new development in reproductive immunology, promote intellectual exchanges in the various disciplines of reproductive immunology, and provide mentorship for new scientists interested in reproductive immunology.
Aims and Membership
ISIR’s mission is to:
- Advance the study of immunological, biological, and genetic aspects of reproduction.
- Promote scientific exchange among clinicians, researchers, and scholars.
- Disseminate new knowledge through meetings, publications, and educational initiatives.
Membership is open to all individuals who are interested in or have contributed to the objectives of ISIR. ISIR membership entitles you to exclusive access to a searchable membership directory, a significant reduction of ISIR meeting registration, fast-track review in the Journal of Reproductive Immunology, and many more.
Looking Ahead
The upcoming 16th ISIR Congress in 2026 marks another milestone in the society’s ongoing journey to unite global experts and promote excellence in reproductive immunology.
As stated by Prof. Rupert Billingham at the 1986 ISIR Congress in Toronto:
“…Let us never forget that, was it not for Bulgaria, was it not our dear friend Kiril, we would have never gathered here as a research community to deal with such an important problem for humanity—the immunology of reproduction.”