STRUCTURAL INSIGHTS INTO THE MOLECULAR MECHANISM OF THE RECOGNITION OF LIPID-BASED ANTIGENS BY NATURAL KILLER T CELL RECEPTORS

This research focused on one kind of immune cells called Natural Killer T cells. Natural killer T cells play an important role in regulating immune responses in conditions like infection, allergy, asthma and cancer. In this PhD, a new population of Natural killer T cells was identified that could be activated by a drug presently in clinical trials for treating various forms of cancer. With the help of cutting edge technology like X-ray crystallography, the interaction between the Natural Killer T cell and the drug is understood at their atomic level that would aid in designing new therapeutic agents for treating various human diseases.