Modelling T-cell Development using pluripotent stem cells

Summary This project involves the generation of T-cells from pluripotent stem cells in the laboratory.

Project Details

T lymphocytes are a critical arm of the adaptive immune system. The in vitro generation of T cells from human pluripotent stem cells provides an opportunity to study normal immune development, to model disease and to generate cells and products for potential therapeutic use. We have methods for making definitive human hematopoietic lineages from PSCs, enabling us to generate both B and T lymphocyte progenitors in vitro.

This project will involve generating T cells from induced pluripotent stem cells using in vitro and in vivo models. In vitro derived T-cells will be tested for their ability to interact with thymus stromal cultures in vitro and following transplantation into immunocompromised mice. Students will have access to established reagents, such as genetically modified PSC reporter lines, and highly evolved pluripotent stem cell differentiation protocols. Students will learn how to grow, genetically modify and differentiate pluripotent stem cells. The project will also involve techniques such as flow cytometry, immunofluorescence, confocal microscopy, and quantitative PCR. Depending on the direction of the work, generation and analysis of RNAseq data may also be necessary.

The Immune Development Laboratory is physically located at the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, part of the Melbourne Children’s Campus, which also includes the Royal Children’s Hospital and University of Melbourne: See our website for further information.