UNIGE and CHUV reveal 3D view of cytotoxic T lymphocytes destroying cancer cells in Geneva, Switzerland; nanometer-scale immune synapse visualization
UNIGE and CHUV reveal 3D view of cytotoxic T lymphocytes destroying cancer cells in Geneva, Switzerland; nanometer-scale immune synapse visualization An unprecedented view of the immune system’s killer cells - Medias - UNIGE Published on 29 Apr 2026 An unprecedented view of the immune system’s killer cells A collaboration between UNIGE and CHUV-UNIL reveals in 3D how T lymphocytes destroy cancer cells. Cytotoxic T lymphocytes are the body’s specialized “killer” cells, precisely eliminating infected or cancerous cells. Their action relies on a specialized exchange zone called the “immune synapse,” where they release active molecules to destroy the target cell without damaging neighboring ones. Until now, the fine organization of these structures remained difficult to observe. A study conducted by the University of Geneva (UNIGE) and the Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV) has made it possible to visualize these mechanisms in three dimensions in a near-native state. Published inCell Reports, the study reveals how the molecular organization of cytotoxic T cells underpins their function, opening new perspectives in immuno-oncology. ...