Institute of Neuroimmunology
Topic
Markers of functional immune response of T-lymphocytes suitable for characterization of primary and secondary immunodeficiencies
PhD. program
Molecular biology
Year of admission
2024
Name of the supervisor
Mgr. Branislav Kováčech, PhD.
Contact:
Receiving school
Faculty of Natural Sciences Comenius University in Bratislava
Annotation
T cells are the principal regulators and effectors of the establishment and maintenance of immune responses and immune memory. Current clinical praxis does not provide sufficient characteristics of an immune system, and there is a need for a more comprehensive evaluation of effector and memory functionalities of T cells. The main aim of the project is to set up suitable methods for functional assessment of T cells in juvenile patients diagnosed with primary and secondary immunodeficiencies. The tests will be based on the activation in the whole blood by mitogens and specific antigens, evaluation of the activation of the individual CD4+ subsets by flow cytometry, and released cytokines by multiplex assays.These tests will provide the required characteristics of the juvenile immunodeficiencies for the identification of patients at risk for severe infections requiring personalized care (immuno-substitutional or prophylactic therapy, transplantation). The tests would complement examinations currently used in the clinics in Slovakia.