Grant: Operating Grant

Infections ranging from viruses to parasites elicit vigorous antibody responses critical for host protection. In fact, vaccine efficacy is defined by the generation of robust pathogen-specific antibodies. These effective humoral immune responses depend on white blood cells called helper T cells to directly interact with and instruct other immune cells called B cells to produce antibodies that neutralize pathogens. However, important questions remain as to how these immune cells orchestrate these responses effectively. This research proposal applies animal models of infection combined with cell biology and genetic manipulation to advance our understanding of how leukocytes work together to fight disease and generate protection from infection.