Deciphering how epigenetic modifications shape T cell fate and function using super resolution microscopy

T cells are important in protecting us against viruses and cancers. The nucleus of the T cell acts as its brain, controlling its function and fate. My thesis utilises microscopy to visualise the nucleus and study how its spatial organisation controls its immune response. I found that the nucleus is structed purposefully to aid in its fate and that disrupting this spatial organisation was detrimental to T cells. Furthermore, I developed microscopy techniques to see more of the nucleus and to visualise it in 3D. This culminated in the discovery of a nuclear spike structure important to T cell function.