Young Complexity Researchers’ Lunch (YCRL) #7: Surviving without thymus: Effects of neonatal thymectomy on T cell receptor (TCR) repertoire diversity in humans

Before the pandemic, we organized biweekly sessions at the CCSS called “Reading Group/Science Jam” for our researchers to discuss challenges in Complex Systems Studies. Now with the possibility to meet in person at the CCSS again, we would like to reintroduce this kind of community building events and make them more approachable for young complexity researchers to share their complex systems science related work in a relaxing and informal settings. All young researchers are welcome!

Therefore, we cordially invite you to the Young Complexity Researchers’ Lunch (YCRL) #7 on Friday 24 March (12:30-13:00) at the Centre for Complex Systems Studies (CCSS) where you can:

• Get a free gourmet lunch with the best sandwiches you can get in the Utrecht Science Park;

• Know one young complexity researchers' work over just 30 mins;

• Contribute your professional knowledge and experiences in a relaxing and informal setting;

• Develop potential collaboration.

YCRL#7: Surviving without thymus: Effects of neonatal thymectomy on T cell receptor (TCR) repertoire diversity in humans
Leading young complexity researcher: Erdem Şanal, Theoretical Biology

Abstract:
There is a diverse repertoire of naive T cells in the immune system capable of recognizing pathogens. The thymus releases naive T cells that distinguish self (organism's own cells) from non-self (foreign substances). The absence of the thymus at birth is lethal as functional naive T cells are required to mount an immune response. It has been shown that the removal of the thymus (thymectomy) after birth reduces the naive T cell numbers. In this talk, I will focus on methods to compare the TCR repertoire diversity of young and aged humans including neonatally thymectomized young adults.

All young researchers are welcome and please feel free to invite your colleagues/friends/classmates/students to join us.

If you would like to have the lunch arrangement, please sign up before 12:00pm Thursday 23 March.