Our research
The majority of T lymphocytes carry diverse T cell receptors (TCRs) that display classical MHC-restriction. However, the T cell compartment also includes unconventional T cell subsets that recognize antigens presented by non-classical MHC-like molecules. Several of these subsets are evolutionarily conserved, display innate-like characteristics, and play important roles in immune control of pathogens.
The group is particularly interested in the complementary roles that adaptive CD8 T cells, and the unconventional innate-like T cells such as the invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cells and mucosa-associated invariant T (MAIT) cells play in host defense.
Keywords
T cells, NK cells, NKT cells, MAIT cells, CD1d, MR1
Open positions
We always want to get in touch with talented potential co-workers. If you are interested in doing research within our group, as a degree project or as a researcher, please contact the group leader Johan Sandberg.
Projects and collaborations
The group is involved in a multitude of projects together with many collaborators, as exemplified by the list of selected publications. Project objectives include investigations of:
- The role of MAIT cells in human immune control of bacterial infections including antibiotic resistant bacteria.
- Adaptive and innate T cell-mediated immunity in response to acute viral infection, including SARS-CoV-2 and HIV-1 infections.
- Adaptive and innate T cell-mediated immunity in response to viral and bacterial vaccines.
- Role of tissue-resident T cell populations in immunity and tissue homeostasis.
- Viral (HIV-1, HSV) and bacterial (S. aureus) immune evasion mechanisms.
- Mechanisms of viral immunopathogenesis.
- Application of unconventional T cells in immunotherapy.
Collaboration at CIM
The group also collaborates with Caroline Boulouis, postdoctoral researcher in Jakob Michaelsson's group at the Center for Infectious Medicine (CIM).
Research support
- The Swedish Research Council
- The Swedish Cancer Society
- The Swedish Heart-Lung Foundation
- Center for Innovative Medicine
- SciLife Lab/Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation
- Karolinska Institutet