The majority of research on T cells forms a paradigm in which classical T cells are activated by peptide antigens presented by classical MHC molecules. Non-classical T cells do not fit into this paradigm because they generally recognize antigens presented by conserved non-classical molecules. They also have simplified patterns of T cell receptor (TCR) expression and exhibit rapid effector responses, a function that is typically acquired early in development. This dissertation aims to explore the functional implications of the T cell receptors used by a subset of unconventional CD8+ T cells known as MR1-restricted T cells, which mediate the recognition of a broad range of microbial infections.