T cell activation is regulated at multiple layers which provide targets for immunomodulatory interventions
We aim to define how different cues are integrated to modulate T cell activation and functions. This knowledge can be exploited for clinical intervention such as improvement of adoptive immunotherapies or development of novel immunosuppressive drugs
Techniques and infrastructure of the research group:
The group has expertise in the manipulation of human primary peripheral blood T-cells. To that end we use retroviral and lentiviral overexpression systems and CRISPR/Cas9 based genome engineering, following protocols of the Marson group (Gladstone Institutes, San Francisco, USA). As a main readout, phenotypic, functional and metabolic parameters of T-cells are determined by multicolor flow cytometry. Our group also has expertise in standard cloning, biochemical and bioenergetic assays.
A major focus of our group is to develop and apply novel 3D cell culture models.