The Tolar lab investigates B cells to find new ideas for vaccines and therapies of immune diseases.

B cells are white blood cells that roam the body ready to react to harmful substances and pathogens, such as viruses and bacteria. They make antibodies that protect us from these invaders. Unfortunately, B cells can also overreact and cause autoimmune disease, allergy or lymphoma.

Our lab is interested in B cell triggering, the process by which B cells recognise invaders. We use a range of approaches such as immunology, genetics, biophysics, imaging and nanotechnology to provide an understanding of the molecular processes by which B cells bind foreign materials and mediate immune protection. We also investigate the genes and pathways that are involved in human B cell diseases. We believe that a better understanding of B cell triggering can inform the development of next-generation vaccines and discover targets to eliminate diseased B cells.