Research Activities

Our immune system consists of dedicated immune cells that collaborate to protect against infection and disease. T cells are orchestrators of immune responses and require multiple interactions with distinct partner cells to steer their function. Our laboratory dissects these interactions over the life of a T cell. We aim to identify how T cell interactions (1) determine the clearance of pathogens or cancer cells; (2) are tailored between infections and go awry in asthma and lupus; and (3) maintain memory cells for long-lived vaccine protection. Our goal is to apply this knowledge to therapeutically promote protection from infection and discover new avenues to overcome cancer, asthma and autoimmunity.

1. Spatial directives of T cell host defense and memory
2. Diversity in germinal centre (GC) reactions generated by distinct TFH differentiation 
3. Dissecting the induction and integration of T cell migration cues

Our research combines pathogen models, reporter mice, advanced imaging, and transcriptional analysis to dissect the T cell interactions that control cell fate, function and longevity. We use these advanced approaches to identify new therapeutic avenues to drive immune responses either towards protection or away from autoimmunity.    

Research Keywords

Researching in the following areas: Cell migration, T cells, Immune diversity, Germinal Centres, Viral immunology