About
Dr Andy van Hateren is a senior post-doctoral research fellow working with Prof Edd James (University of Southampton) and Prof Tim Elliott (University of Oxford), investigating the mechanisms of Major Histocompatibility Complex class I peptide selection, and how tapasin and TAPBPR modulate peptide selection.
Dr van Hateren runs a part of the lab in the Life Sciences building. supervising a research assistant as well as students.
Dr van Hateren also presents immunology lectures, facilitates tutorials, supervises students during research projects, and is a personal academic tutor.
Research
Research groups
Research interests
- Immunology.
- Cancer.
- MHC I peptide selection.
- Antigen presentation.
- Protein dynamics.
Current research
The binding of peptides by Major Histocompatibility Complex class I molecules (MHC I), and their presentation to cytotoxic T cells, is an integral component of the adaptive immune system, providing protection from intracellular pathogens and cancer.
MHC I molecules are highly polymorphic, with each MHC I allotype binding a different cohort of peptides. MHC I molecules become loaded with peptides in the endoplasmic reticulum of a cell, in a process that is assisted by a macromolecular peptide loading complex. A key constituent of this peptide loading complex is the molecule tapasin. Once loaded with peptides, MHC I molecules pass through the secretory pathway en route to the cell surface. During this transit, some MHC I molecules encounter scrutiny from the tapasin homologue, TAPBPR.
TAPBPR, like tapasin, performs a "peptide editing" function that results in the preferential selection of peptides that bind with high affinity, allowing the most effective antigen presentation.
My research is focused on how MHC I molecules select peptides for presentation, and how tapasin and TAPBPR modulate this process.
Publications
Teaching
I supervise undergraduates undertaking lab their research projects, as well as summer students and interns seeking working experience. I also supervise postgraduate masters students during lab research projects.
I am co-supervisor for a PhD student.
I also facilitate tutorials for undergraduate first year students in the Foundations of Medicine course.
I also present immunology lectures for Master's students on the Human Biology and Systems (Medi6226) course.
Biography
Dr Andy van Hateren is a senior post-doctoral research fellow working with Prof Edd James (University of Southampton) and Prof Tim Elliott (University of Oxford), investigating the mechanisms of Major Histocompatibility Complex class I peptide selection, and how tapasin and TAPBPR modulate peptide selection.
Dr van Hateren runs a part of the lab in the Life Sciences building. supervising a research assistant as well as students.
Dr van Hateren also presents immunology lectures, facilitates tutorials, supervises students during research projects, and is a personal academic tutor.
Prizes
- Postdoctoral association research prize (2014)