Victor investigated poorly understood, rare T cell receptors (TCRs) that play a critical role in human immunity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Because M. tuberculosis relies on a resilient outer waxy layer composed of mycolic acid (MA) and its derivatives, human T cells targeting these lipids present a promising avenue for vaccine development. However, because these T cells are absent in mice, their precise contribution during infection remains largely uncharacterized. Using an integrated clonotypic workflow that combined tetramer sorting, single-cell TCR and RNA sequencing, bioinformatic prediction, and TCR reconstitution, Victor identified four previously unreported MA-reactive TCRs from healthy donors. His findings underscore how much remains to be discovered about lipid-reactive immunity and demonstrate how characterizing additional donor profiles can clarify how the human immune system defends against tuberculosis.
The level of autonomy I experienced as an undergraduate researcher was unprecedented. I was able to develop new methods and become a true member of the university’s research community, while being abroad allowed me to focus solely on my work. An unexpected highlight was the community I found along the way. From fellow undergraduates to outstanding postdocs at the university and conferences, I formed lifelong friendships and international connections that mean no matter where I go in the world, I will always have someone to call.
Victor De Oliveira