Noncanonical epitope recognition by CD8+ T lymphocytes. This proposed research program will provide significant fundamental insight in the areas of immunology and vaccine design. Vaccines for many diseases remain elusive, and this project aims to improve our understanding of the precise regions within pathogens that are the targets for the killer T cells of the immune system. These regions, called epitopes, are likely to be key ingredients in many future vaccines. Although immunologists have gat ....Noncanonical epitope recognition by CD8+ T lymphocytes. This proposed research program will provide significant fundamental insight in the areas of immunology and vaccine design. Vaccines for many diseases remain elusive, and this project aims to improve our understanding of the precise regions within pathogens that are the targets for the killer T cells of the immune system. These regions, called epitopes, are likely to be key ingredients in many future vaccines. Although immunologists have gathered much information about such epitopes, recent studies have shown that some unexpected regions of pathogens are targets for killer T cells. This project will break new ground by utilising unbiased procedures to assess the relative contribution of these noncanonical epitopes to immunity.Read moreRead less
The effect of chlorine disinfection byproducts in wastewater effluent on the aquatic environment. Chlorination of treated wastewater leads to the formation of harmful disinfection byproducts (DBPs). A key issue for the water industry and government environmental agencies is whether the DBPs have a deleterious effect on organisms in the receiving aquatic environment. The effect of fractions of chlorinated and chlorinated/dechlorinated wastewaters on organisms will be assessed using biological as ....The effect of chlorine disinfection byproducts in wastewater effluent on the aquatic environment. Chlorination of treated wastewater leads to the formation of harmful disinfection byproducts (DBPs). A key issue for the water industry and government environmental agencies is whether the DBPs have a deleterious effect on organisms in the receiving aquatic environment. The effect of fractions of chlorinated and chlorinated/dechlorinated wastewaters on organisms will be assessed using biological assays. Chemical analysis will be used to identify the compounds in fractions having negative biological effects. Laboratory data will be validated by measuring environmental DBP concentrations and assessing the biota. This project will identify the risk to biota in aquatic environments from chlorinated and chlorinated/dechlorinated wastewater.Read moreRead less