Introduction: Historical overview 1. Development of T cells in the thymus 2. The function of aBT cells and the role of the co-receptor molecule, CD4 and CD8 3. T cell specificity and function 4. Emergence of the T cell receptor repertoire 5. The human T cell receptor repertoire 6. T cell activation 7. Transgenesis and the T cell receptor 8. Superantigens and tolerance 9. Src - related kinases and their receptors in T cell activation 10. Organisation of the human TCRB gene complex 11. Genomic organisation of T cell receptor genes in the mouse 12. Nature of variation among variable genes 13. T cell receptor V(D)J recombination: Mechanisms and developmental regulation 14. Allelic exclusion of T cell antigen receptor genes 15. Plasticity of the TCR/CD3 complex 16. The immune recognition unit: The TCR/peptide/MHC complex 17. A structural model of a bacterial superantigen binding to MHC class II and T cell receptors 18. Biosynthesis of MHC products and its relevance for antigen presentation Appendix A1 - Nomanclative Appendix A2 - Sequences