A computational biology approach to understanding the factors that shape the T cell repertoire

Abstract:

T cells play an important role in the immune recognition and control of pathogens. T cell receptors expressed on the cell surface enable the recognition of pathogen peptides and the diversity of T cell receptors involved in the T cell response to a particular pathogen is an important determinant of the effectiveness of the immune response. I will describe some of our research, employing a computational biology approach, that is aimed at better understanding the factors that shape the T cell repertoire and influence the availability of T cell receptors to effectively respond to infectious diseases.