Tissue resident memory T cells in Influenza A virus infection

Influenza A virus (IAV) causes infections every year, imposing a heavy economic burden for society and, in severe cases leading to morbidity and mortality. While vaccination can induce neutralizing antibodies against IAV, they become less effective in case of antigenic drift and shift. In such cases, memory T cells that recognize and bind MHC presented petides that are derived from relatively conserved internal proteins of the virus can provide cross-strain immunity. Among these, tissue resident memory T cells (TRM) are  those memory T cells strategically positioned at the site of infection enabling a rapid response upon reinfection.

The Mathew lab investigates the TRM that are formed in the upper respiratory tract and lungs during IAV infection. Defining their developmental requirements and ways to tame their recall response will help us to design future mucosal vaccines that offer broader protection against IAV. To address these questions, the lab employs multicolor conventional and spectral flow cytometry, FACS based cell sorting and in vivo mouse models.

Awards and grants:

• Magnus Bergvalls Stiftelse (2026)
• Stiftelsen Lars Hiertas Minne (2021, 2026)
• VR starting grant viruses and pandemics (2026-2029)
• Stiftelsen Clas Groschinskys Minnesfond (2024, 2025)
• SWIMM travel grant (2023, 2025)
• Stiftelsen Wilhelm och Martina Lundgrens Vetenskapsfond (2022, 2024)
• Elisabet "Bollan" Lindén Stipend (2021)
• Svenska Sällskapet För Medicinsk Forskning Post doctoral grant (2021–2024)
• Forschungspreis der DAG-KBT (2019)
• Hans-Greisbach-Preis for best doctoral thesis (2018)
• Posterpreis fur doktorandinnen, Uniklink Freiburg (2017)
• Paul Basset award for best poster, EuCC syposium (2015)
• Scholarship from Dept. of Biotechnology, Govt. of India (2009–2011)