Studying the immune system's response to infections

Esteban Ballestar

Institut de Recerca contra la Leucèmia Josep Carreras, Spain

The immune system equips the body to fight infections. In most cases, it is highly effective and protects us from illness. However, some individuals are born with immunodeficiencies that make them much more susceptible to diseases caused by pathogens, either because their immune cells are insufficient or defective. Studying these individuals enables a better understanding of how the immune system works and how it organises its responses to potential attacks.

In this project, the researchers will generate a map of immune cells and the interactions between them. To this end, they will focus on a primary immunodeficiency, common variable immunodeficiency (CVID), which causes severe and recurrent intestinal and respiratory infections that require lifelong immune replacement therapy.

The goal is to obtain a better understand of the mechanisms underlying the challenges that these patients face in fighting infection. Another aim is to gain insight into how immune cell crosstalk orchestrates efficient responses to infection. All this, in order to provide new tools to improve the medical care and quality of life of patients with immunodeficiencies.

Uncovering the Differentiation Determinants and Dynamics of Congenital Susceptibility to Infections

€477,722.19