1. Kansas State University
  2. »Division of Communications and Marketing
  3. »K-State Today
  4. »Division of Biology Seminar today

K-State Today

September 30, 2016

Division of Biology Seminar today

Submitted by Division of Biology

Philippa Marrack

Philippa Marrack, distinguished professor from the University of Colorado, will present "T Cell Recognition of Antigens" as part of the Division of Biology Seminar Series at 4 p.m. Sept. 30 in 120 Ackert Hall.

The seminar is in retrospect, the means by which T cells recognize foreign antigens has turned out to be just about as confusing as it possibly could have been. How could evolution have come up with such an unexpected way for T cells bearing alpha/beta receptors to realize that foreign invaders have entered the body? Antibody molecules, produced by B cells are relatively straightforward, they bind directly to the foreign invader, whether it is, for examples, influenza virus or tetanus toxin. T cells, on the other hand usually react only with fragments of the invader, usually peptides but sometimes lipids or even vitamin metabolities. These are not recognized on their own by T cells but rather only if they are bound to a major histocompatibility complex protein.

This talk will describe how T cell receptors manage this unexpected task, and the ramifications of the phenomenon, for immune responses to invaders and in autoimmunity.

If you would like to visit with Marrack, contact Claire Ward at ceward@k-state.edu.  

In this issue

From the administration
News and research
Events
Kudos, publications and presentations
Campus construction and maintenance
Newsletters, magazines and blogs
University life