Rad Lab

B cells are the source of antibodies, but they are far more than antibody factories: they are living sensors and learners, transforming molecular encounters into lasting memory and protection. Without B cells and the antibodies they produce, modern biomedical research, diagnostics, and many therapies would not exist. In the body, antibodies help prevent and resolve infection by blocking pathogens, tagging them for removal, and limiting their ability to spread. Each B cell develops in the bone marrow with a unique antibody receptor, giving it a distinct way of recognizing a target. B cells remain poised until they are activated by encountering an antigen, typically in peripheral lymphoid organs. During immune responses, this recognition can be refined in specialized structures called germinal centers. There, B cells are tested, selected, and improved: those with competitive binding can become stronger and more effective responders, while less competitive versions are lost. We study how this B cell tuning happens, what determines which responses are amplified or lost, and how these choices shape the formation of memory B cells and antibody-secreting plasma cells. By understanding how B cells learn, we aim to guide immune responses toward more durable protection and better ways to prevent, detect, and treat disease.