Abstract: The present invention provides means and methods for generating effector cells that may be used for, for instance, adoptive immunotherapy. One aspect includes a method for providing a candidate effector cell with an antigen-specific effector activity comprising providing the cell or a precursor thereof with a recombinant &agr;&bgr; T cell receptor specific for the antigen or an analogue of the receptor. In a preferred embodiment, the effector cell comprises cytotoxic activity.