104 General Chemistry 415 Advanced Biochemistry Research Interests Characterization of the detergent insolubility of the T cell Receptor complex and its interaction with detergent-resistant membranes Background A cell gains information from its environment by binding molecules called ligands. These bind to specific cell surface receptors which then transmit these signals to the interior of the cell. My research involves the receptor for foreign antigens on the surface of T cells.
T cells are an important part of the immune system and aid in fighting disease.
The TCR is a large multisubunit complex. Aggregating the TCR complexes on the cell surface is necessary to activate the cells. DRMs are enriched in glycolipids, cholesterol, glycosylphosphatidyl inositol-linked proteins, and tyrosine kinases. Possible research projects for students involve characterizing this association and addressing its importance in activation of the T cell response. We have had some success separating, purifying, and analyzing the aggregated TCR complexes and membrane domains using density gradient centrifugation.