Our research
A successful defense against pathogens depends on the adaptive behaviour of B cells and T cells. This process occurs in specialized microanatomical structures known as germinal centers (GCs).
Here B cells undergo selection to produce protective antibodies. Protective antibodies can neutralize pathogens.
Conversely, GC B cells can generate antibodies with specificities that target the body's own components. Specialized subsets of T cells regulate the process of B cell selection in the GC.
We aim to understand the contribution of the different T cell subsets to the GC reaction and how this information can be used to tailor an optimal immune response.
Our projects
Intravital imaging of lymphocyte interactions
We use 2-photon live imaging of immune cell interactions to understand the underlying dynamics of the GC reaction.
Unbiased characterisation by photoactivation
We use photo activation of specific microanatomical niches to extract and phenotype the T cell subsets involved in GC regulation.
Labelling interacting cells by LIPSTIC technology
We use a novel approach termed LIPSTIC (Labeling Immune Partnerships by SorTagging Intercellular Contacts) for labelling and analysing the GC resident T cell subsets.
Therapeutic antibodies
Monoclonal antibodies are widely used in a clinical setting to neutralize a range of pathogens.
We are working to develop better therapeutic antibodies by using novel transgenic mice and by modulating GC B cell kinetics.
Our aim is to be able to rapidly produce high affinity and broadly neutralizing antibodies.
We are hiring
We are looking for talented, enthusiastic and friendly member for a Postdoctoral position.
A strong background in cellular immunology and in vivo models is an advantage.
Applicants should send their CV and brief description of their interests to j.t.jacobsen@medisin.uio.no
Selected publications
- Expression of Foxp3 by T follicular helper cells in end-stage germinal centers. Jacobsen JT, Hu W, R Castro TB, Solem S, Galante A, Lin Z, Allon SJ, Mesin L, Bilate AM, Schiepers A, Shalek AK, Rudensky AY, Victora GD. Science. 2021 Jul
- One-step generation of monoclonal B cell receptor mice capable of isotype switching and somatic hypermutation. Jacobsen JT, Mesin L, Markoulaki S, Schiepers A, Cavazzoni CB, Bousbaine D, Jaenisch R, Victora GD. J Exp Med. 2018 Oct
- Universal recording of cell-cell contacts in vivo for interaction-based transcriptomics. Nakandakari-Higa S, Canesso MCC, Walker S, Chudnovskiy A, Jacobsen JT, Parigi SM, Fiedorczuk K, Fuchs E, Bilate AM, Pasqual G, Mucida D, Pritykin Y, Victora GD.bioRxiv. 2023 Mar
- Clonal replacement sustains long-lived germinal centers primed by respiratory viruses. de Carvalho RVH, Ersching J, Barbulescu A, Hobbs A, Castro TBR, Mesin L, Jacobsen JT, Phillips BK, Hoffmann HH, Parsa R, Canesso MCC, Nowosad CR, Feng A, Leist SR, Baric RS, Yang E, Utz PJ, Victora GD. Cell. 2023 Jan
- Germinal Center Selection and Affinity Maturation Require Dynamic Regulation of mTORC1 Kinase. Ersching J, Efeyan A, Mesin L, Jacobsen JT, Pasqual G, Grabiner BC, Dominguez-Sola D, Sabatini DM, Victora GD. Immunity. 2017 Jun
