The efficiency of an immune response directed against an infectious agent is primarily determined by the repertoire of antigen-specific cells available before immunization. It requires the fast proliferation of a few rare antigen-specific cells. The expansion of the antigen-specific cells is, however, limited by mechanisms that strictly control the total number of immune-competent cells. Thus, an immune response cannot be correctly accessed without understanding the homeostatic mechanisms that determine the total number of lymphocytes.

The main research objectives of our laboratory continue to be:

The study of the homeostatic mechanisms that control the number of B and T lymphocytes.

The study of the dynamics of the lymphocyte populations, of the rates of lymphocyte renewal and of the mechanisms of lymphocyte survival.

The study of the role of lymphocyte competition in lymphocyte selection and in the control of the immune responses. The study of the processes involved in the regulation of tolerance.

The study of the mechanisms involved in the induction and persistence of immunological memory.

Web site created by Marie-Christine Vougny (01/2003)

Last update : December 12, 2008