Seminar: Human Immunology

The Graduate Programme in Immunology and Infectious Diseases welcomes Professor Mark M. Davis, University of Stanford

Date: Friday 30 May 2025
Time: 9:00-10:30
Place: Victor Haderup Auditorium

Short abstract:
Professor Davis is renowned for identifying T-cell receptor (TCR) genes, which enable T cells to recognize foreign entities and solve a central mystery in immunology.

His research group has made numerous discoveries about TCR and T cell biology, particularly concerning their biochemical properties and characteristics. Notably, they demonstrated that T cells can detect and respond to even a single molecule—specifically, fragments of antigens bound to Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) cell surface molecules. He also developed an innovative method for labeling specific T cells based on the molecules they recognize (peptide-MHC-tetramers), a technique now essential in many clinical and basic studies of T cell activity, from new cancer vaccines to identifying "rogue" T cells in autoimmunity.

In recent years, his work has increasingly focused on understanding the human immune system, employing broad systems biology approaches, and inventing new methods (human immune organoids and more) to unravel the complexities of human immune responses in cancers, autoimmunity, vaccines, and infectious diseases.

Contact:
Mustafa Ghanizada, mghanizada@sund.ku.dk