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SUMMARY:Evolution of thymopoiesis in vertebrates - Prof. Dr. Thomas Boehm\
 , University of Freiburg
DTSTART:20100519T113000Z
DTEND:20100519T123000Z
UID:TALK23751@talks.cam.ac.uk
CONTACT:Sue Griffin
DESCRIPTION:One major focus of our work is the evolution of the adaptive i
 mmune system. \n\nThe adaptive immune system depends on effective quality 
 control to eliminate potentially self-reactive receptors that are generate
 d by a somatic and essentially random rearrangement process. Primary lymph
 oid organs are the morphological basis for this selection process. We ther
 efore investigate the genetic basis of their development and function. We 
 also utilize the information obtained from mouse to investigate similar pr
 ocesses in more primitive vertebrates and to examine for the possible pres
 ence of evolutionary primordia of such organs. \n\nWe are also interested 
 in the evolution of the MHC/antigen presentation system and examine the po
 tential role of peptide ligands as signals of genetic individuality in the
  context of sexual selection. We explore the possibility that such an alte
 rnative function of peptides pre-dated the emergence of the VDJ recombinat
 ion system.\n\n
LOCATION:Lecture Theatre\, Department of Pathology\, Tennis Court Road
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