Research Bio
Thomas Mann's research interests are at the intersection of signal transduction and T cell differentiation. The cardinal feature of the adaptive immune system is formation of a response to specific antigens. Recognition of an antigen for the first time causes T cells to proliferate and differentiate into many specialized states. However, antigen exposure isn’t a one-time experience, and T cells in all different cell states and physiological settings can repeatedly encounter antigen.
The lab is investigating two key questions about this process:
- How do antigen signals instruct T cell differentiation?
- Conversely, how does differentiation state control T cell signaling responses to subsequent antigen exposures?
A better understanding of the signals that control T cell fate and function is fundamental to developing new therapies targeting the immune system. Currently, we are particularly interested in T cell exhaustion during the response to cancer and chronic viral infection. Long-term, we aim to build a platform for studying T cell signaling in a diverse range of immunological contexts.
He is an assistant professor of immunology and molecular medicine.
Research Expertise and Interest
T cell differentiation and enhaustion, cellular signal transduction