Science
In my research I study T cell receptors (TCRs) and their interaction with antigen, peptide-MHC complexes (pMHC). The various approaches I take are informed by three principle assertions:
1) TCRs repertoires are important
- The T cell system is one of the primary ways our bodies perform quality control on ourselves, constantly inspecting our cells for signs that something has gone awry, like an infection or uncontrolled growth.
- T cells achieve this inspection through different T cell clones having a different TCR on its surface, which can recognise different antigens presented on the surface of the other cells of the body.
- As we have a lot of different T cell clones, with lots of different receptors, we are able to protect ourselves from a huge array of different microbial and cellular threats. It is this very diversity of TCRs, that makes this protection possible. I would argue that we can therefore think about the TCR repertoire as one of the greatest (post-fertilisation) determinants of our molecular and cellular composition.
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- Can be used therapeutically
- If understood, could allow interpretation of the immune history/status/potential futures of an individual
2) … Therefore TCR sequences are important
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3) … But their sequences are not enough
TODO ADD REFERENCES/PICTURES WHERE AVAIABLE?
FUNCTIONAL SCREENING AT REPERTOIRE SCALES
INCREASING BREADTH OF COVERAGE TO MAKE FINDINGS GENERALISABLE/EQUITABLE
INCREASE UNDERSTANDING OF TCR SEQUENCE DIVERSITY (ESP GENOMIC VARIABILITY)
EXPLORE THE USE OF REPERTOIRE CHARACTERISTICS TO INFORM CLINICAL PRACTICE, E.G. IN CASES OF ACQUIRED IMMUNODEFICIENCY