Dr David Bending

• PhD in Immunology, University of Cambridge, 2011
• BA (Hons) Medical Sciences, University of Cambridge, 2007

Dr David Bending is a T cell immunologist specialising in the regulation of T cell responses and T cell receptor (TCR) signalling. In 2018, he formed his own research group at the University of Birmingham, UK. His lab is supported by  an MRC Career Development award and a Lister Institute Fellowship prize. Their research focuses on how TCR signalling strength and dynamics regulate T cell function.

Dr Bending's lab has keen interests in understanding how immunotherapy can alter T cell activation and identify favourable T cell signatures of therapy responders. They have used cutting-edge TCR signalling research tools to study T cell activation in vivo. A recent major finding is the discovery of the novel “TCR.strong” signalling signature, which is a hallmark of effective T cell responses to anti-PD1 immunotherapy.

• MSc in Immunology and Immunotherapy
• BSc Biomedical Sciences
• MBChB Immunology Modules

Currently students

• 1 MSc by Research in Immunology and Immunotherapy student
• 3 PhD in Immunology and Immunotherapy students

Research interests

T cell receptor signalling, T cell activation, T cell regulation, Nr4a receptors, Immunotherapy, Tumour immunology, negative feedback control of T cells, Tfh cell development.

Current projects

Negative feedback control of T cells in tolerance and cancer - from pathways to biomarkers

T cells are vital immune cells that help fight infections and cancer. T cells must strike a balance between successfully clearing harmful invaders and the collateral damage they might inflict in achieving this (called immunopathology). The T cell system therefore has many brakes which it can apply to control the level of immune response.  We have developed new tools that can follow T cell responses and identify when and how they switch on these immune brakes. We believe that these brakes that have developed to prevent autoimmunity account for why T cells are prevented from killing cancer cells.

Role of Nr4a receptors in T cell activation

Nr4a receptors are rapidly activated following TCR signalling and can be used to follow T cell activation processes in vivo. We use genetic tools to understand the roles Nr4a1 and Nr4a3 play in feedback control of the T cell activation process.

Role of TCR signal dynamics in the regulation of IL-10 expression

IL-10 is an important cytokine that modulates immune responses. Here we use state-of-the-art tools to understand under what conditions IL-10 is activated in T cells, and how TCR signal strength and dynamics control this process.

Role of TCR signal dynamics in the development of T follicular helper cells

T follicular helper (Tfh) cells are a key population of CD4+ T cells that control the generation of high affinity germinal centre B cells, and therefore play key roles in controlling antibody responses. We investigate how antigen density and co-receptor stimulation regulate Tfh cell development and maintenance.

• 2021-to date: Co-Chair of the BSI Midlands Immunology Group
• 2021-to date: Member of the Midlands Innovation Immunology Network
• 2021-to date: Member of the MDS Athena Swan Organisation and Culture sub-commmittee