Investigating B and T cell populations in health and disease
How are different B cell populations developmentally linked in human health and disease?
We are investigating the generation, function and plasticity of B cell populations in human health. In particular, we are interested in how different lymphocyte subsets are developmentally linked and differences in function, and therefore providing a platform to understand how B cell fate may be different in human disease. We are defining how B cells select a particular developmental pathway, and will use this information to develop methods for modulating B cell function as potential therapeutic approaches.
How can B and T cells may be therapeutically modulated across cancers and autoimmune diseases?
There is accumulating evidence for the role of both T and B cells in modulating immune responses to both solid tumours and haematological malignancies. We are investigating the contributions, function and heterogeneity of B and T cells on the immune responses to tumours and their potential role in cancer detection and treatment. We are determining the nature of B and T cell immuno-surveillance, regulation and activation across cancers and autoimmune diseases, as well as the immunological features associated with better prognosis and immunomodulation. With this, we aim to highlight novel therapeutic avenues. Our lab is affiliated with the Oxford Cancer Centre (https://www.cancer.ox.ac.uk/research/research-themes/developments-in-immuno-oncology) and non-cancer clinicians, with strong clinical links to a wide range of hard-to-treat diseases.
What is the effect of genetic and environmental variation on B and T cell fate?
Immunological health relies on a balance between the ability to mount an immune response against potential pathogens and tolerance to self. B and T cells are key to the immune response by producing antibodies and cytotoxic T cells. B/T cell clones selectively expand following antigen recognition by B and T cell receptors (BCR and TCR) respectively. BCRs are the membrane-form of antibodies and are generated through DNA recombination resulting in the potential to recognise a vast array of pathogens. Defects in the ability to mount effective B cell or T cell responses have been implicated in infectious susceptibility, impaired surveillance of cancer and immunodeficiencies, whereas a breakdown of immunological tolerance has been attributed to autoimmune diseases such as through autoantibody production and reduced numbers of regulatory B/T cells. Through integrating genomics, bulk and single-cell transcriptomics, and metabolomics data, serological, B /T cell repertoire and viromics datasets we will investigate the effect of both genetic variation and environmental factors on B cell fate, regulation, and the relationship to disease susceptibility.