TURUN YLIOPISTO – UNIVERSITY OF TURKU (UTU)

Turku, Finland

The University of Turku is a multi-disciplinary scientific environment with high-quality research activities. The university hosts approximately 20'000 students and 3400 staff members. Versatile and continuously updated research instruments, equipment, materials, and services support the research work. The university has committed to the national and international goals of open science and research, the central principle being promoting ethically sustainable research activities that follow the practices and principles approved by the science community.

Project Team

Dr. Pieta Mattila

Mattila lab’s major interest lies in the molecular mechanisms of antigen activation of B lymphocytes, the key event triggering specific antibody responses. The group leader, Adjunct professor Pieta Mattila, has a strong background in cell biology and different microscopy-based tools, in addition to B lymphocyte activation. Our interests in unveiling the early cell biological events triggered by antigen engagement include deciphering the nature of antigen vesicle trafficking and antigen processing to peptide-MHCII-complex, in B cells, for presentation to T cell compartment. This cascade is essential for mature high affinity antibody response

Dr. Pinja Jalkanen

Pinja is a postdoctoral researcher in the team of Pieta Mattila, and she has a PhD in Virology from University of Turku. She has been working with respiratory viruses and viral vaccines, with a focus on humoral and cell mediated immunity. Her current research includes the characterization of B cell activation and antigen presentation to cognate T helper cells.

Project tasks

Work Package 1 Influence of virus architecture on protective epitope exposure and antigen intracellular trafficking

Task 1.2. Investigate entry and fusion of YF17D vs YFWT in endosomal compartments in DCs
Task 1.3. Lead: Analyse endocytosis and intracellular trafficking of YF17D vs YFWT in B lymphocytes

Work Package 4 Initiation of the immune response and presentation of viral antigens

Task 4.3. Define the antigen source and explain the mechanism of antigen transfer from infected stromal cells to DCs for presentation to YFV-specific T cells