Evaluation of CD8+ T-cell numbers and repertoires

This thesis tackles the problem of T-cell receptor (TCR) diversity, from two different points of view. On one hand, the observed TCR diversity is studied from a mathematical perspective, concentrating on the probability of a sample to reproduce a certain percentage of the total TCR diversity. On the other hand, biological samples are considered, focusing on statistical analysis of the observed VDJ gene segments. To conclude, a stochastic model is developed to explore the population dynamics of a simulated TCR repertoire. Computer simulations complete this multidisciplinary approach, helping verifying the different mathematical theories behind the stochastic models.