Decoding the evolution of killer T cell immunity across human lifetime

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The immune system is a potent weapon for protection against pathogens. T cells have a central role as their receptors monitor the body for threats. The thymus (organ) educates receptors to discriminate between healthy and infected cells. Receptor diversity and T cell strength change throughout human life. This project aims to unravel how T cells gain and lose optimal receptors and strength. The aims are to understand 1) The role of thymic education in diversifying receptors 2) Whether gradual loss of thymic education affects receptor diversity 3) The molecular mechanisms underlying T cell strength. The project is essential for understanding how optimal T cell immunity is formed, critical if we wish to harness this to improve healthy aging.