Michał J. Sobkowiak

I have been involved in the research on unconventional T cells since my doctoral studies, with special emphasis on Mucosa-associated invariant T (MAIT) cells. Having defined the MAIT cell population in the human oral mucosa in the healthy and apical periodontitis context, I grew more interested in the specific roles these cells play in maintaining barrier homeostasis in an incredibly diverse, microbiotically heterogenous and microenvironmentally varied environment of the oral cavity. My current work focuses on development of organotypic 3D oral tissue models to study host-microbe interactions at the oral mucosal barrier in detail.

I have also long been involved in the study of pancreatic tumour microbiome, including its interactions with the immune system and role in tumorigenesis. Working with a unique panel of live bacterial isolates from pancreatic tumours, I have investigated their ability to induce tumour changes, susceptibility to MAIT cell intervention, and involvement in initiation of a metastatic phenotype.

Other research topics I have studied are hepatitis C, human papilloma and herpes simplex viruses, T cell targeting via TCR transfer, and mRNA vaccine efficacy in immunocompromised individuals.

I have since 2023 served as the course leader (Kursansvarig) for the course Examensarbete i odontologi (Degree project in odontology), which oversees degree project work of Dentistry students and teaches essential research and data analysis skills. I have also taught in courses Vetenskaplig teori och metod (Scientific theory and methods) and Microbial pathogenesis, both in the Dentistry programme.