Grant: Doctoral Research Award: Canada Graduate Scholarships

Vaccines are the most powerful tool we possess to protect the population from infection and serious illness. This protective effect is mostly driven by the formation of antibodies that specifically target and eliminate the infectious agent, such as a virus. However, not all antibody responses generated by vaccination confer effective protection, and new methods to boost vaccine efficacy are needed. Antibody production requires the interaction of immune cells named "B cells" and "T follicular helper cells". Recently, our lab has discovered a new type of T cell that is involved in the antibody-producing reaction. However, it is unclear how these cells are formed and what their role is in the production of antibodies. Initial data from our lab suggest that these cells play a role in promoting the formation of antibody-producing cells. By using mouse models and a cellular culture system, I will investigate how these cells are formed and what their role is in the antibody response. My research may help us develop new strategies to improve vaccination efficacy via the manipulation of these newly discovered T cells.