Statistical analyses for spatial organisation in T cell signalling networks

该项目旨在揭示纳米尺度的空间组织如何编码T细胞信号网络中的可塑性，以及T细胞如何利用这种可塑性来调节对抗原的敏感性。在过继免疫中，T细胞对任何给定的抗原做出适当的反应，但它们如何做出决定尚不清楚。该项目将定义信号分子的纳米尺度空间组织如何塑造T细胞抗原受体(TCR)网络中的信号强度和可塑性；并推断完整T细胞中空间组织和信号活动之间的联系规则。TCR信令网络的情境化有望揭示T细胞决策中网络可塑性的起源和用途。这些信息对疫苗和免疫调节药物的设计可能是无价的。

This project aims to reveal how nanoscale spatial organisation encodes plasticity in the T cell signalling network, and how T cells exploit this plasticity to regulate sensitivity to antigens. In adoptive immunity, T cells respond appropriately to any given antigen, but how they make decisions is unclear. This project will define how nanoscale spatial organisation of signalling molecules shapes signalling strength and plasticity in the T cell antigen receptor (TCR) network; and infer rules linking spatial organisation and signalling activities in intact T cells. Contextualising the TCR signalling network is expected to reveal the origin and use of network plasticity for T cell decision-making. Such information could be invaluable for the design of vaccines and immune-modulating drugs.