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Peptide-empty MHC class I molecules on the cell surface and in biotechnology
Our research is in the area of immunology, molecular cell biology, and biochemistry, specifically on the intracellular transport of membrane proteins of the immune system, and its regulation. Our favourite model system is major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I molecules, which are present on all nucleated cells. They play a central role in the mammalian immune defence against viruses, intracellular bacteria, and cancer, since they carry fragments of many intracellular proteins to the surface of the cell, where they can be surveyed by cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL). If the CTL find that unusual proteins (for example, non-self) are produced in the cell, they induce it to undergo apoptosis. This way, the production sites of viruses are eliminated.
A second project area concerns the introduction of soluble substances, for example peptides or second messengers, into cells, either to manipulate their behaviour or to make measurements. We work with biophysicists who design micrometer-sized capsules that can be opened inside the cells. This system is also used to study MHC class I molecules. Our main methods are laser confocal fluorescence microscopy, cell biological protein transport experiments (pulse chases), biochemical in vitro assays of intracellular transport processes, and biophysical assays with purified proteins.
Date:
21 August 2025, 13:00
Venue:
Seminar Room, NDM Research Building, Old Road Campus, Headington, OX3 7FZ
Speaker:
Professor Sebastian Springer (School of Science, Constructor University Bremen)
Organising department:
Nuffield Department of Clinical Medicine
Organiser:
Karen Poxon (University of Oxford)
Organiser contact email address:
karen.poxon@ndm.ox.ac.uk
Host:
Professor Persephone Borrow (Centre for Immuno-oncology, University of Oxford)
Part of:
CIO Seminar Series
Booking required?:
Not required
Audience:
Members of the University only
Editor:
Karen Poxon
