Carmen Gerlach

Project summary

CD8 T cells of the immune system

Carmen Gerlach studies the immune system and a particular type of immune cell, the CD8 T cell, which is especially effective at protecting us against infections and cancer. She is particularly interested in understanding how the diversity of CD8 T cells arises. This knowledge could ultimately be used to design more effective vaccines and immunotherapies.

 

Our immune system protects us against many infections and against cancer. Unfortunately, some infections are so severe that the immune system is unable to combat them effectively. Similarly, cancer can develop because cancer cells are able to suppress the immune system. Vaccines can protect us against infections, while immunotherapy can reactivate the immune system. However, vaccines are not available for all infections, and not all cancer patients benefit from immunotherapy. This research project aims to generate the fundamental knowledge needed to develop better vaccines and immunotherapies.

 

The research project focuses on CD8 T cells, which form part of the immune system and are particularly effective at combating infections and cancer. However, not all CD8 T cells have exactly the same capabilities. Just as people can have different professions, CD8 T cells can have different specialised functions. Depending on whether you are hungry or ill, you may need a baker or a doctor. The same principle applies to CD8 T cells: depending on the type of disease, one population of CD8 T cells may have capabilities that make it better suited than another to combat that particular disease.

 

The project aims to understand how the body generates different populations of CD8 T cells and how they acquire their specialised capabilities. Taken together, the knowledge generated by the project will make it possible to design vaccines that primarily induce the populations of CD8 T cells with the capabilities most relevant to a particular disease.