Physical regulation of B cell activation using gold-templated antigen nanoarrays

Katelyn Spillane (primary)
Physics
King's College London
Wayne Dickson (secondary)
Physics
King's College London

Abstract

B cells play a critical role in immune responses because they produce antibodies and provide long-term immunity against antigens that cause disease. B cells become activated following specific interactions with antigens that are displayed on the surfaces of other immune cells. These cell-cell contacts, called immune synapses, facilitate the exchange of chemical and mechanical signals between the two cells. While the effect of chemical signals on B cell activation has been studied extensively, the role of mechanical signals has remained elusive. Here we will employ a combination of nanotechnology, biophysics, fluorescence microscopy, and B cell biology to dissect the molecular mechanisms that govern the physical regulation of B cell activation.


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BBSRC Area
Genes, development and STEM* approaches to biology
Area of Biology
Cell BiologyImmunology
Techniques & Approaches
BiophysicsChemistryImage ProcessingMicroscopy / Electrophysiology