Jintian Lyu
BME PhD Proposal Presentation

Date:2022-03-18
Time: 11am - 1pm
Location / Meeting Link: [Zoom] https://gatech.zoom.us/j/96861201296?pwd=c09wdDk4UWJnT1NxTFpEdkpYSlFXQT09 [Meeting ID: 968 6120 1296][Passcode: 785547]

Committee Members:
Cheng Zhu, PhD (advisor) Kaitao Li, PhD Gabriel Kwong, PhD Khalid Salaita, PhD Ankur Singh, PhD


Title: Lymphocytes apply endogenous forces through immuno-receptors to sense their mechanical microenvironment

Abstract: The immune response is orchestrated by a variety of immune cells and the function of these cells is determined by the collective signals from various immunoreceptors. Recent studies have shown the presence of mechanical force on several immunoreceptor-ligand pairs. Lymphocytes, such as T cells and B cells, were observed to transmit pN level forces to their receptors when physically contacts their corresponding ligands. In the field of mechanosensing, types of forces that immunoreceptors may encounter and the effects of force on ligand bonding, conformational change and the triggering of immunoreceptors will influence immune cells’ downstream signal transduction, cell-fate decisions and effector function. The present thesis will investigate how lymphocytes applying endogenous force through immunoreceptors sense and respond to their microenvironment as well as the influence on their function due to the change of force pulling. This study aims to address these questions with animal models, highly sensitive biomechanical assays of single molecules, DNA-based tension sensors and other cellular and biomolecular approaches. The outcome will enhance our understanding of how lymphocytes endogenous force shape their effector function. It will also provide some insights when developing next generation cell therapy by tuning receptors pulling on their corresponding ligands.