Epigenetic Control of Human T Helper Cell Differentiation Across Development

Each year, about 4 millions of newborn babies die from infectious causes worldwide. Birth represents a major immunological transition from a safer environment to a microbiologically hostile outside world. T cells are key players of the immune system and newborn babies do not display a strong immunological response as most of their T cells are naïve and not differentiated into T helper (Th) cells compared to adult individuals. Thus, characterization of mechanisms regulating differentiation of naïve T cells in newborn babies represents an approach to enhance their immunological responses. Our research goal is to improve survival of newborn babies by investigation of the genetic modifications associated with these mechanisms. These characterizations also enable us to understand why there are variations in immunological responses to the same pathogen between individuals and could act as a starting point for identification of a therapeutic agent/vaccination to improve immunological responses in newborn babies.

Faculty Supervisor:

Pascal Lavoie

Student:

Partner:

BC Children's Hospital Foundation;STEMCELL Technologies Canada Inc

Discipline:

Life Sciences

Sector:

Other services (except public administration)

University:

The University of British Columbia

Program: