Welcome to the Rudensky lab home page.

Our research is focused on understanding the molecular mechanisms governing the development and function of CD4 T lymphocytes and their role in T cell mediated immunity. CD4 T cells recognize foreign and self protein antigens in the form of relatively short peptide fragments associated with MHC class II molecules displayed on the surface of antigen-presenting cells and play a central role in regulation of adaptive immune responses to infection and the maintenance of tolerance to self.

Major areas of interest include:

The molecular mechanisms governing the development and function of regulatory T cells and the role these cells play in the regulation of autoimmunity and immunity to infection. We are particularly interested in understanding the role of the forkhead family transcription factor Foxp3 in establishing and maintaining this T cell lineage. [link to more]

The molecular mechanisms of generation of CD4 T cell receptor ligands, the complexes of MHC class II molecules and peptides derived from endogenous and exogenous proteins, and their relevance to T cell immunity. [link to more]

The role of self-peptide:MHC class II complexes in the CD4 T cell development, including the role of these complexes in shaping the CD4 T cell TCR repertoire in developing thymocytes and the effects of self-peptide:MHC class II /TCR interactions in tuning the responses of these cells. [link to more]

In these studies, the lab employs a wide range of experimental techniques including traditional biochemical and molecular biological analysis; genetic approaches including conventional and conditional gene targeting, ‘‘knock-in’’ strategies, and conventional and inducible transgenesis; mass spectroscopy; bioinformatics; and classical immunological analysis utilizing both cellular in vitro techniques and whole animal experimentation.