# Spatiotemporal Control of T cell Synapse Stabilization and Signaling

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN FRANCISCO · 2022 · $484,347

## Abstract

Project Summary/Abstract
T cells utilize surface-bound T cell receptors (TCR) at the immunological synapse with antigen-presenting cells
(APC). Detection of their peptide-MHC ligands results in rapid intracellular signaling, necessary for acquisition
of effector functions and for profound adaptive immunity. While we now understand some of the fundamental
proteins in this processing, understanding how each works together in the context of a rapidly moving T cell
has proven difficult.
TCR recognition happens as surface deformations provide initial contact. However, despite various fixed and
lower-resolution approaches to understanding this process, it has not been previously possible to study this
complete surface in real-time in the full 3-dimensions in which it takes place. Here, we will use novel and
advanced imaging approaches to define how cytoskeletally-driven membrane movements provide a backbone
for efficient ligand detection and we will describe how a range of widely variant environmental cues as well as
novel pathways alter this process and affect immune surveillance.
This project will define how T cells effectively `find' their ligands amidst a sea of competing MHC. This
efficiency of search and detection has clear implications for the ability of T cells to discovery rare epitopes and
initiate a response, for example during the early phases of a viral infection.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10318963
- **Project number:** 5R01AI052116-20
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN FRANCISCO
- **Principal Investigator:** MATTHEW F KRUMMEL
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $484,347
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2002-09-15 → 2022-12-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10318963

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10318963, Spatiotemporal Control of T cell Synapse Stabilization and Signaling (5R01AI052116-20). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10318963. Licensed CC0.

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