<br/>Recent research into the immune system has revealed that foreign pathogens are detected through a series of receptors on antigen presenting cells. These receptors are synergistically activated by multiple pathogen associated molecular patterns. Materials scientists have a large role to play in the coordinated design of vaccines and synthetic activators of the immune system. We report on our development of chemical and polymeric tools for interacting with the immune system. Our methods involve the controlled presentation of TLR agonists to their receptor through light-mediated uncaging. These light-activated TLR agonists have been tested against dendritic cells and we will report on the results. Additionally, we will report on our work using these TLR agonists to probe synergistic interactions between different TLRs.

Controlling the immune system with light: photo-active TLR agonists

249th National Meeting (2015)

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