From SAPless T Cells to Helpless B Cells and Back: In Vivo Dynamics of Cell Cooperation and the Formation of Germinal Centers

Hai Qi is currently a postdoctoral fellow in the Lymphocyte Biology Section of the Laboratory of Immunology (R. Germain, PI) and a past postdoctoral fellow representative on the IIG steering committee. Hai received his M.D. in 1996 from Beijing Medical University and his Ph.D. in 2003 from the Univ. of Texas Galveston for studies on the immune response to Leishmania. Since 2003 he has been using intravital 2-photon microscopy at NIH to study the humoral adaptive immune response. In a widely read Science paper, Hai reported the novel finding of direct stimulation of B cells within the T cell zone of lymph nodes by dendritic cell-associated antigen. This study also represented the first use of intravital Ca++ signaling to reveal antigen recognition responses in lymphocytes in intact lymphoid tissues. More recently Hai has collaborated with Jen Cannons and Pam Schwartzberg, using 2-photon imaging to analyze the basis for the germinal center deficiency in sap KO mice. This work has yielded unexpected evidence that the molecular control of T-DC and T-B interactions are quite different in vivo and that the duration of cell-cell contact plays a major role in adaptive immune responses. Hai has been a well-received plenary speaker at several national and international meetings and his seminar promises to be both intellectually stimulating and visually pleasing.

The Immunology Interest Group (IIG) organizes activities designed to promote information exchange and interactions among NIH scientists interested in the field of immunology, broadly defined. Interactions are facilitated via weekly meetings on current topics as well as an annual Immunology Retreat.

For more information, visit
The Immunology Interest Group