Kristin Hogquist, PhD

Dr. Hogquist is primarily interested in T cell development in the thymus. She and her colleagues study how selection processes shape the T cell repertoire to achieve a highly effective and self-tolerant adaptive immune system. Current research is focused on these four topics: Positive selection: This is a crucial stage in T cell development, where MHC-restricted progenitors are selected from a random pool. Negative selection: One of the ways the immune system copes with self-reactive T cells is to eliminate them from the repertoire. We developed a highly physiologic in vivo mouse model to study the specific antigen-presenting cell types involved and the timing and anatomic location of negative selection. Thymic Emigration : Dr. Hogquist's lab is currently interested in the final stages of maturation that occur prior to migration of the progenitor from the thymus to the periphery. The Human T cell repertoire: Dr. Hogquist's lab has a unique collaboration with a clinical virology group to study immune responses in humans that are at high risk for natural infection with a gamma herpesvirus (Epstein Barr Virus or EBV). I