Models of T cell activation based on TCR-pMHC bond kinetics

In order for an immune cell, such as a T-cell to do its job (kill virus infected cells) it must first undergo an activation event. Activation requires the encounter of the cell surface T-cell receptors (TCRs) with bits of protein that are displayed in special complexes (peptide-MHC complexes) on the surface of a target cell. all cells of the body display such p-MHC complexes, but in normal circumstances only those perceived as infected will be destroyed by T-cells in the process of immune surveillance. In this seminar I will describe both theoretical and experimental work aiming to understand the events that culminate in the activation of the T-cell.