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T cells are central regulators and effectors of the adaptive immune response. They mature in the thymus through tightly controlled differentiation programs that generate an antigen-specific, self-tolerant T cell repertoire. Beyond conventional T cells, the thymus also produces small, non-conventional subsets, so-called “innate-like” T cells, including invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cells and virtual memory T cells.
My long-standing research interest lies in the signaling mechanisms that drive T cell maturation, activation, and differentiation. A deeper understanding of these pathways not only advances our general knowledge of T cell function but also provides the foundation for developing new therapeutics and for targeted pharmacological and cellular interventions in T cell responses, for example in inflammatory or autoimmune diseases, tumor development and immune defense, and aging.
Using transgenic and conditionally deficient mouse models in combination with pharmacological inhibitors, we have focused on Lck-Erk1/2, PKB/Akt, ion channels and Ca²⁺-NFAT signaling, as well as on the function of the cold-shock protein YB-1. Our more recent studies on YB-1 reveal, among other findings, that YB-1 is a novel, essential regulator of thymic iNKT cell maturation (Schulze et al., EJI, 2026).
As an emeritus guest scientist at IKIZ, I enjoy the opportunity to continue YB-1 analyses in collaboration with the Schüler and Kahlfuß groups, which will be supported within this framework.