Unconventional dynamics: turnover, structure and maintenance of the γδ T cell population in humans

T cell immunology has revolutionised clinical therapeutics. The overwhelming majority of our knowledge of T cells is restricted to classical ("αβ") T cells, in comparison we know almost nothing about unconventional ("γδ") T cells: this represents an untapped resource and a huge knowledge gap. We will use non-invasive labelling technologies to study, for the first time, the dynamics of γδ T cells in human subjects. Our team, which together has expertise in γδ biology, non-invasive labelling and mathematical modelling, will investigate how γδ T cells balance production, proliferation, death and differentiation to maintain a functioning, protective population. Our research will generate fundamental knowledge about how both immediate-acting ('innate') and also 'adaptive' γδ T cells are organised. We will develop a predictive model to provide a framework to study γδ T cell immunobiology and, in the future, to harness the power of γδ T cells in the clinic.