Biography

Reorganization and Remodelling of immune cells to communicate an effective immune response.

Immune cells have a short period of time to orchestrate an adequate immune response upon infection. To ensure rapid and efficient communication, antigen-presenting cells and T cells (white blood cells) have developed a unique interface that supports rapid and efficient delivery of messages upon cell-cell interaction.

Using multifarious state-of-the-art microscopy techniques I study this unique interface in great detail and have identified pivotal remodelling and/or reorganization processes that enables this effective communication in:
(1) the 3D endocytic network (transport system of cells)
(2) mitochondria (energy factory inside cells)
(3) the nanoscaled organization of T cell receptors ('on'-button of T cells)
(4) the plasmamembrane lipid and protein composition and 3D structure at the cell-cell interface.

​Currently, we are targeting the various molecular mechanisms responsible for the remodelling processes with the aim to be able to shape the response of:
(a) regulatory T cell during transplantation, and
(b) boost helper T cell function during vaccination of elderly.