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New molecules in signalling pathways for lymphocyte development

Reference	BBS/E/B/0000C206
Principal Investigator / Supervisor	Dr Martin Turner
Co-Investigators / Co-Supervisors
Institution	Babraham Institute
Department	Babraham Institute Department
Funding type	Research
Value (£)	2,903,683
Status	Completed
Type	Institute Project
Start date	01/04/2004
End date	31/03/2012
Duration	96 months

Abstract

Developing new approaches to manipulate the mammalian immune system represents one of the major challenges for the biotechnology and biological sciences community in the 21st century. The increases in allergic and autoimmune disease coupled with the threat of new and re-emerging infectious diseases means that we must develop strategies which either restrain or augment the function of immune cells. This challenge can only be met if we have a complete understanding of the signalling pathways activated by encounter with an antigen (a molecule that is recognised by the immune system). Consequently, the biochemical and genetic pathways triggered by antigen encounter are the subject of study in our project. Expression (the copying of information encoded in DNA into RNA and then often into protein) of individual signalling molecules is regulated during lymphocyte (a type of white blood cell) development and thus imparts considerable flexibility upon the antigen receptor (which binds to antigens) in terms of the molecules which it can recruit and activate during the lifetime of the lymphocyte. Evaluation of the role of these molecules in lymphocytes is necessary to understand how activation thresholds of the antigen receptor are set.

Summary

unavailable

Committee	Closed Committee - Biochemistry & Cell Biology (BCB)
Research Topics	Immunology
Research Priority	X – Research Priority information not available
Research Initiative	X - not in an Initiative
Funding Scheme	X – not Funded via a specific Funding Scheme

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