The Dynamics of B Cell Affinity Maturation

Upon infection or vaccination, the adaptive immune system must learn to produce novel molecules (antibodies) to neutralize the invader and accelerate future responses. This learning process happens in microanatomical environments called germinal centers. Here, B cells—some of which will eventually produce antibodies—undergo rapid evolution via somatic hypermutation and selection based on competition for antigen binding. In this talk, I will present insights gained from modeling the dynamics of this process at the molecular, cellular, and systems level, highlighting organizing principles that emerge from a quantitative, physical perspective.