Orchestration of the Th2 response by dendritic cells

Dendritic cells—the immune system’s decision-makers—are failing to respond properly to parasitic worms, and researchers want to know why. Schistosome worms infect millions of people worldwide, causing chronic disease. The immune reaction they trigger is unusual and often damaging, yet scientists understand little about how dendritic cells (DC) recognise and handle such complex parasites. Most research has focused on how DC respond to bacteria or viruses, leaving a gap in knowledge about larger, multicellular pathogens. This project aims to map the precise molecular steps by which DC orchestrate the immune response to schistosomes and similar organisms. If successful, the work will reveal the fine details of how DC direct the immune system toward a particular type of response. That knowledge could guide the design of new drugs and vaccines for any condition where the immune response is unbalanced—not just parasitic infections, but also allergies, asthma, and autoimmune diseases. The research is fundamental science, driven by curiosity about how a key immune cell works. Past discoveries in DC biology have already led to breakthroughs in vaccine design and cancer immunotherapy; this project could lay similar groundwork for future treatments.