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Genetic analysis of factors that regulate mRNA stability in the development of B cells

ReferenceBBS/E/B/0000L145
Principal Investigator / Supervisor Dr Martin Turner
Co-Investigators /
Co-Supervisors
Institution Babraham Institute
DepartmentBabraham Institute Department
Funding typeResearch
Value (£) 126,469
StatusCompleted
TypeInstitute Project
Start date 01/02/2005
End date 31/05/2008
Duration40 months

Abstract

B-lymphocytes are responsible for the production of antibodies recognising antigen that is part of an invading micro-organism. Specific antibodies provide protective immunity and form the basis of all successful vaccines. This project is designed to understand in greater detail the molecular mechanisms that regulate antibody production. Specifically we aim to define the function of a class of genes that we predict will regulate the final stages of B cell differentiation and antibody production. These genes encode proteins which have the capacity to bind messenger RNA (the nucleic acid molecules that contain information required for the translation of DNA sequence into protein sequence) and trigger its destruction. By degrading specific messenger RNA in activated B cells we predict that these genes control B cell differentiation and antibody production. We propose to test this notion by first monitoring their expression as B cells become activated and differentiate into antibody secreting cells. Furthermore we will specifically remove one member of this class of gene from B cells and then measure the effect that this has upon exposure to antigen.

Summary

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