Research
Supervisor: Professor Gillian Griffiths
I am at the end of the research phase of the MBPhD programme. Our lab is interested in the mechanisms by which Cytotoxic T Cells kill their target cells (virally infected and tumorigenic cells) . This process requires the formation of the immune synapse which involves membrane changes, polarisation of the centrosome, rearrangement of microtubules and trafficking of lytic granules to the membrane. Defects in this pathway lead to loss or reduction in the ability of CTLs to kill, these help us characterise the functions of proteins in the pathways. My project is currently looking at the nature of these granules and defects that affect their loading, transport and degranulation to help elucidate the proteins involved and their function. My current focus is on Chediak Higashi Syndrome, a lysosomal storage disease with an immune phenotype including a defect in degranulation of lytic granules. Approaches include immunofluoresence, western blotting and functional assays.
