The concept of so-called neonatal immunoprinting is well established. It refers to the importance of the neonatal period of development in establishing a symbiotic relationship between our immune system and microbes with implications for lifelong immune health.
 
The cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying the early immune programming are largely unexplored. Now Joan Yuan and her research group will, for the next five years, use their innovative genetic toolbox to unravel the unique B cells' formation, their function and significance for long-term immune health. The research group's hypothesis is that developmental and microbial circumstances characterize an early wave of B-cell memory, giving them distinct properties that influence the function of the adult immune response. By genetically time-stamping and manipulating these B cells in a highly controlled manner, the researchers hope to develop a comprehensive understanding of their role in shaping the adult immune system 

"Our research builds on the use of sophisticated mouse models established through support from our former ERC Starting Grant. These models represent the only way to establish a causal relationship between neonatal B-cell exposure and adult immunity. However, they require large resources and long-term investments that are rarely available from other financiers," explains Joan Yuan, associate professor of immunology at the Department of Laboratory Medicine. 

"The grant will enable our more ambitious lines of research that take more time and resources but can lead to greater progress. We would therefore like to express our sincere gratitude to the ERC for their commitment to support our research program and the invaluable opportunities it provides."

The ERC project: Unraveling the Role of Early Life B Cells in Shaping the Adult Immune System