The Lymphocyte Signalling and Development ISP

The Lymphocyte Signalling and Development ISP is an interactive team, currently consisting of five research groups and approximately 30 research workers.  We use a multidisciplinary approach to investigate the receptors and pathways that regulate lymphocyte development and activation.

Lymphocytes are cells of the immune system which circulate throughout the body searching for signs of infection. When lymphocytes encounter an infection they co-ordinate and mount a sophisticated defence to destroy the invading micro-organism.  They are responsible for the generation of immunological “memory” which protects individuals from re-infection. Lymphocytes are a subset of white blood cells and can be divided into three main categories:

T cells, which develop in the thymus mediate cell-mediated immunity and help B cells generate antibodies;
B cells, which develop in the bone marrow and mediate humoral immunity by secreting antibodies.
NK cells, which mature in the bone marrow, play essential roles early in an infection;

The Lymphocyte Signalling & Development ISP carries out research to identify the molecular and biochemical mechanisms required for the development and function of lymphocytes.  Decoding the signalling pathways regulating lymphocyte maturation and function is of interest to those wishing to improve vaccines, combat autoimmune disease, develop tumour immunotherapy or improve the efficiency of organ transplantation.

Conditional gene inactivation in vivo is one important approach we employ to understand function at the level of the whole organism. We study the behaviour of highly purified populations of cells.  We also study signalling pathways at the molecular level including the PI3K pathway and GTPases, transcription factors, RNA binding proteins and microRNAs.

Relevance to Healthy Ageing and therapeutics:

With up to 90 autoimmune diseases (including multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis and type 1 diabetes), 100 inherited immune deficiencies and reduced immune function due to ageing, a greater understanding of immunity is central to the goal of promoting a healthier lifespan. Within the LLSD we seek to discover and characterise important pathways that control healthy immune function. These pathways are important pharmaceutical targets to either boost or curtail aspects of the immune response.

Key publications from the Lymphocyte Signalling & Development ISP

Translating the ISP's Research into Action (KEC)

Public Engagement

Skills training