B 31N - Dynamic imaging and modelling of the regulation of T cell - pathogen equilibration during chronic infection

This project investigates the molecular signaling and cellular dynamics underlying the equilibration between the immune response and persisting pathogens in the course of a chronic infection. Using a combination of dynamic in vivo imaging and mathematical modelling of Leishmania major infection, B 31N will establish the impact of effector and regulatory T cell functions on pathogen physiology. Furthermore, the activation of T cells will be assessed in the context of their cellular interactions in vivo. The experimental data obtained will be used to inform agent-based and differential equation models in order to study the evolution of immune cell and pathogen populations as well as the dynamics of T cell activation signaling.