Bioscience (master's two years)

Cellular Immunology Project, Section of physiology and cell biology

Immune cells rely on information conveyed by fragments of intracellular components being presented on major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules on the cell surface. Many pathogens are too large to be recognized directly by immune cells, and must first be digested into smaller fragments (peptides) that can be presented by specialized antigen-presenting cells (APCs), such as dendritic cells (DCs) and macrophages.

Cancer immunotherapy attempts to harness the power and specificity of the immune system to treat tumors. The molecular identification of cancer-specific antigens has allowed the development of antigen-specific personalized immunotherapy. Due to their properties, DCs are often called 'nature's adjuvants' and thus have become a leading vehicle for antigen delivery

MHC class II associated invariant chain (Ii) or CD74 (Cluster of Differentiation 74) is a protein essential for proper formation and trafficking of MHC class II to the antigen loading compartment and thus efficient antigen presentation. Ii induces a delay in endosomal maturation and an enlargement of early endosomes dependent on its cytoplasmic domain. This function is independent of the normal early endosomal fusion machinery comprising the small GTPase Rab5, PI3 kinase and the tethering factor EEA1.

All membrane fusion events in eukaryotic cells are mediated by SNARE (soluble NSF attachment protein receptor) proteins. Four different SNARE-domains (Qa, Qb, Qc and R) are needed to form a functional complex. We have recently performed an siRNA screen to identify SNAREs and SNARE-regulating proteins involved in Ii-induced endosome enlargement

The aim of this master project is to characterize the specific SNARE complex in Ii-positive endosomes and its functional significance in antigen presentation. The master student will study the localization and interaction of SNARE proteins by immunofluorescence, expression of fluorescent protein-tagged SNARE proteins and confocal microscopy, depletion of target proteins by small interfering RNA, and antigen presentation assays.

Methods: 

The project will take place in the group of Oddmund Bakke who is also head of the NorMIC Oslo imaging platform. The student will the in particular learn several state-of-the-art microscopy techniques image processing and quantitative image analysis that are very much in demand in many disciplines  in Norway and abroad.

The project will also involve additional techniques of molecular biology and cell biology, including mammalian cell culture, gene manipulations, protein expression and purification, and immunoprecipitation +++ and is particularly suited for a motivated candidate that have a wish to continue working with cellular/molecular research  and imaging.

Please contact

Dominik Frei or Oddmund Bakke, 3rd floor IBV, or contact by email  d.m.frei@ibv.uio.no

or oddmund.bakker@ibv.uio.no (phone 22855787 or 95851479)

 

Published Apr. 19, 2018 8:14 AM - Last modified June 15, 2018 3:38 PM

Supervisor(s)

Scope (credits)

60