T cell differentiation is a process by which T cells, a type of white blood cell involved in the immune response, develop specialized functions and characteristics. This process occurs in the thymus, where immature T cells undergo a series of steps to become mature, functional T cells. During differentiation, T cells acquire specific surface markers, receptors, and cytokine production profiles that determine their function, such as helper T cells or cytotoxic T cells. Understanding T cell differentiation is essential for understanding how the immune system responds to pathogens and how dysregulation of this process can lead to autoimmune diseases or immunodeficiency. Research in this area aims to uncover the signaling pathways and molecular mechanisms that regulate T cell differentiation and how these can be targeted for therapeutic interventions.