Molecular Dissection Of Cytokine-mediated Regulation Of Human B-cell Differentiation.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$119,314.00
Summary
Interleukin 21 is a molecule which activates B cells. Defects in this pathway cause immunodeficiency where individuals cannot make antibodies, while constant activation has been reported in mouse models of autoimmunity. Examining these pathways will shed light on the causes of human immune disease, and may reveal molecules that could be targeted for the treatment of immunodeficiency and autoimmunity. Amplification of normal immune responses could lead to the development of improved vaccines.
I am an immunologist-cell biologist investigating the regulation of human immune responses in health and disease. The overall goal of this work is to improve immunity in individuals with immunodeficiencies, or during vaccination, or to attenuate immune re
The immune system must be tightly regulated to make sure that it makes the right response to effectively fight off infection whilst avoiding inappropriate responses that cause damage such as in autoimmunity, inflammation or allergy. This project studies patients who have genetic defects that affect their immune systems and make them susceptible to infection and/or harmful immune responses. This will reveal some of the critical signals that maintain immune control.
Production Of Human Monoclonal Antibodies In Vitro
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$358,500.00
Summary
Antibodies are defence molecules that permeate our tissues. The diversity of antibodies in a healthy organism is vast, providing the potential to neutralise almost any biological molecule or pathogen with exquisite selectivity. We have invented a cell culture-based platform to generate and select human antibodies specific for any desired target. Unlike most antibodies currently used in laboratories, these antibodies will be usable as drugs as well as for detection of disease.