Physical constraints to tune B-cell activation and differentiation

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Enrico Klotzsch
• Subject Area: Immunology ; Biophysics ; Cell Biology
• Term: since 2022
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 499103849

The project aims to discover the influence of surface topology such as the exposure to a porous material and furthermore to substrates of varying mechanical properties such as different stiffness hydrogels on B-cell activation and proliferation. We aim to investigate and optimize B cell priming, their effects on the transcriptional profile and differentiation of B cells. We furthermore aim to optimize B-cell expansion for clinically relevant antibody production. Therefore, we aim to study clonal expansion(proliferation), differentiation into plasma cells, stimulation of plasma cells, Ig class switch and affinity maturation with adequate biochemical assays. Using Influenza A specific B-cells, we will test production of antibodies and their neutralization capacity.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants