T Cell Receptor Core

Univ Of Massachusetts Med Sch Worcester, Worcester MA

Investigators

Linked publications & trials

Abstract

The objective of the TCR core is to provide the Project leaders access to TCR spectratyping technology, single stranded conformational polymorphism (SSCP) analysis, subcloning, sequencing and screening of ap-TCR repertoires, and acquisition of TCR repertoire analytical databases. Projects 1, 2 and 3 will be heavily reliant on the identification of T cell clones specific to vaccinia, yellow fever, influenza A and Epstein- Barr viruses among healthy, diseased, or vaccinated individuals over the 5 year study period. The essential aspects of each proposed study are to define the distributions of virus-specific cells among TCR Va- and Vp- families and to analyze the structural nature and evolution of the TCR a- and p-chains. Each Project leader will initiate the technical procedures in his/her own laboratory and give them to the TCR core for further treatments and analyses. The demonstrated expertise of the Core Director in TCR repertoire analyses will ensure a high quality of TCR analyses throughout the Program Project.