Immune Regulation, Effector Function And Human Therapy
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$11,474,346.00
Summary
The immune system plays an important role in protecting the host from viral and bacterial infections, and inhibits cancer onset and progression. Immune processes proceed through specialised cells in conjunction with soluble factors such as inteferons and interleukins. These soluble factors can regulate the activities of immune cells, and inhibit the growth and survival of aberrant (virus infected, cancer) cells. Unfortunately, the immune system can sometimes lose specificity and attack the host, ....The immune system plays an important role in protecting the host from viral and bacterial infections, and inhibits cancer onset and progression. Immune processes proceed through specialised cells in conjunction with soluble factors such as inteferons and interleukins. These soluble factors can regulate the activities of immune cells, and inhibit the growth and survival of aberrant (virus infected, cancer) cells. Unfortunately, the immune system can sometimes lose specificity and attack the host, resulting in autoimmune diseases such as diabetes. This research team has played a vital role in characterising the specific activities of immune cells and the associated factors. Importantly, they are deciphering the intricate communication networks of these immune components and dissecting their modes of action. By understanding these complex processes, the team aims to harness the unique therapeutic properties of our own immune system and translate their findings into the clinic. The team is developing new immune-based therapies for use, either alone or in combination with existing chemotherapies to fight debilitating human diseases such as cancer and autoimmune disease.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0989436
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$400,000.00
Summary
Multiphoton microscopy of living animals as a tool for immunology and cell biology studies. The multiphoton microscope will enable us to watch the growth, migration and interactions of cells in a living animal in response to changes in the cells' environment will give us better understanding of how we work as living machines, and what can go wrong with that process to make us unwell.
Improving and manipulating the immune adjuvant properties of recombinant fowlpox vectors. Unbalanced immune responses may cause or worsen common and important diseases such as infections, allergies, cancers and autoimmunity. Interleukin-4 (IL-4) is the only immune active product or cytokine that safely skews an aberrant immune response to a healing type of response. Fowlpox viruses (FPV) provide safe and effective human vaccines. Engineering FPV to make both a relevant antigen and a cytokine is ....Improving and manipulating the immune adjuvant properties of recombinant fowlpox vectors. Unbalanced immune responses may cause or worsen common and important diseases such as infections, allergies, cancers and autoimmunity. Interleukin-4 (IL-4) is the only immune active product or cytokine that safely skews an aberrant immune response to a healing type of response. Fowlpox viruses (FPV) provide safe and effective human vaccines. Engineering FPV to make both a relevant antigen and a cytokine is proprietary technology. With our commercial partner and using experimental mice, we will test the concept that FPV making a model antigen and IL-4 initiate and/or maintain beneficial Type 2 responses. A successful outcome will guide clinical FPV-based vaccine development for the treatment of important human and veterinary diseases.Read moreRead less
microRNAs and the control of T lymphocyte differentiation, function and malignant transformation. The molecular mechanism of the immune system is not completely understood. This project will investigate how transcription factors and microRNAs, two major types of regulatory molecules work together to control immune responses. The results from this research will assist in the design of better vaccination strategies and treat certain lymphomas.
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE110100106
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$350,000.00
Summary
An advanced flow cytometry facility for the Peter Doherty Institute. The establishment of a flow cytometry facility in the new Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity will enhance capacity to investigate immunity to a broad range of very serious diseases. This project will support researchers studying viral and bacterial infection as well as cancer and autoimmunity.
New technology for the delivery of peptide-based T-cell vaccines for tumour immunotherapy. This project is dedicated to finding simple methods for vaccinating humans and animals against a wide variety of cancers. Should this be achieved millions of Australians will be protected from the devastating consequences of cancer. Consequently there will be great benefits socially, medically and economically.
New stable and specific mimics of T cell epitopes for tumor immunotherapy. This project is dedicated to finding simple methods for vaccinating humans and animals against a wide variety of cancers. Should this be achieved millions of Australians will be protected from the devastating consequences of cancer. Consequently there will be great benefits socially, medically and economically.
Real-time analysis of tumour-infiltrating T cells using novel analytical tools. By dynamic visualization of immune cells within intact tumours, we have shown that active screening for target cells optimises their anti-tumour effect. This project will develop novel mathematical/analytical tools to unravel the basic strategies that enable immune cells to position themselves at the right location at the right time.
Unrestricted antigen recognition by T lymphocytes. This project aims to investigate the unrestricted T cell repertoire; the molecular and structural basis of antigen recognition by unrestricted T cells; and the development of unrestricted T cells. T lymphocytes typically are restricted to detecting foreign molecules (antigens) on the cell membrane in association with specialised antigen-presenting molecules encoded within the highly polymorphic major histocompatibility (MHC) locus (MHC restricti ....Unrestricted antigen recognition by T lymphocytes. This project aims to investigate the unrestricted T cell repertoire; the molecular and structural basis of antigen recognition by unrestricted T cells; and the development of unrestricted T cells. T lymphocytes typically are restricted to detecting foreign molecules (antigens) on the cell membrane in association with specialised antigen-presenting molecules encoded within the highly polymorphic major histocompatibility (MHC) locus (MHC restriction). T lymphocytes that can recognise antigens in the absence of MHC or MHC like molecules challenges a major paradigm in the field of immunology. As T cell based therapy underpins treatments for cancer and infection, new mechanisms of T cell activation that are independent of patient genotype should ultimately create opportunities for therapeutic and commercial development, leading to both health and economic benefits.Read moreRead less
CD1C-LIPID-REACTIVE T CELLS. The immune system patrols our body examining molecules such as proteins and lipids that signal whether or not everything is ok. While protein recognition by the immune system is well understood, our knowledge of the fundamental features of lipid detection is poor. This project will investigate the detection of lipid molecules that are presented to the immune system in association with a molecule known as CD1c. The aims are to understand: 1. The cells that respond to ....CD1C-LIPID-REACTIVE T CELLS. The immune system patrols our body examining molecules such as proteins and lipids that signal whether or not everything is ok. While protein recognition by the immune system is well understood, our knowledge of the fundamental features of lipid detection is poor. This project will investigate the detection of lipid molecules that are presented to the immune system in association with a molecule known as CD1c. The aims are to understand: 1. The cells that respond to these lipids; 2. The cellular receptors that bind to these lipids; 3. The types of lipids involved in this process. This work is essential for us to understand lipid-based immunology which is critical if we ultimately wish to harness this to improve human health.Read moreRead less