Profile Jonathan Kurche

I study primary CD4+ T cell responses to antigen. I am interested in whether there are qualitative differences in the types of antigens or stimuli that generate suppressive CD4+ T cells and those that generate protective CD4+ T cells, or whether these outcomes are stochastic. I study these cells because it is known that T cells specific for cancers exist in the immune system before onset of disease, but these cells are not able to clear tumors in spite of being present. Using a melanoma model, I desire to understand how CD4+ T cells impact the anti-melanoma immune response and in what manner they may promote or inhibit it. With this information I hope to be able to learn how to design optimal tumor vaccines.