Gene expression genomics in T cells

Abstract: T helper cells are central to mammalian adaptive immunity, as the different subtypes modulate the immune system by either activating or repressing it. These cells are easily experimentally accessible as they are non-adherent, and can be studied ex vivo or in vitro. We have used this system to study basic principles of the global regulation of gene expression using next generation sequencing technologies, both at the level of populations of cells (Hebenstreit et al., 2011, Mol Sys Biol; Hebenstreit et al., 2011, Nucleic Acids Res) and at the level of single cells (Brennecke et al., Nature Methods, 2013). Our bulk and single cell RNA-sequencing data has also directed our attention to a potential new signalling system in T helper cells based on steroid production by these cells, illustrating the power of this genomic approach for providing specific biological insights (Mahata et al., Cell Reports, in press).

Host:  Mark Coles