A defining feature of adaptive immunity is the ability to recognize pathogens with high specificity and to retain antigen-experienced cells as long-lived immunological memory. This antigen specificity is genetically encoded in B and T cell receptors. By systematically mining immune repertoires alongside associated cellular and functional characteristics, we seek to identify the key determinants of protective immunity. Through the development of cutting-edge single-cell methodologies and bioinformatics pipelines, we investigate immune responses to genetically attenuated malaria parasites in humans in collaboration with malaria experts at LUCID. In parallel, to better understand how helminth infections shape vaccine responsiveness, we examine the quality and characteristics of B cell responses to helminths in close collaboration with international partners. Ultimately, our goal is to define the molecular foundations of durable protective immunity, thereby contributing to the rational design and development of next-generation vaccines.
About
We aim to uncover the fundamental molecular principles that govern protective and long-lasting immunity to infectious diseases in humans. Our research focuses on adaptive immune B and T cells, combining innovative single-cell technologies with advanced computational pipelines to study immune responses at high resolution.
