The immune system must be able to distinguish between self and non-self in order to both effectively fight infection, and prevent autoimmune diseases. The T cells of the vertebrate immune system learn to maintain this balance during their development in the thymus.
The Meyer Lab is focused on two central, interconnected research questions: understanding (1) T cell tolerance induction in the thymus and (2) the resulting TCR diversity and cross-reactivity. We address these questions in a multi-faceted manner, leveraging in silico and statistical models, genomics on mouse models, human clinical samples and most recently, advanced imaging technologies.
Addressing research question (1), we study how the organisation of the thymus and its cells provide an effective education system for T cells. We are particularly interested how the interactions of developing T cells and thymic epithelial cells lead to tolerance induction and generation of diversity in the immune system. For research question (2), we are developing computational tools and models for TCR cross-reactivity prediction and assessment.
Our current research focuses on understanding the regulation of cellular and molecular diversity in the human thymic epithelium, evolutionary principles of T cell receptor diversity, and developing a comprehensive model of central tolerance induction.
NEWS
