Modulating Immune Responses By Targeting Dendritic Cells Using Dendritic Cell Specific Markers.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$197,750.00
Summary
The ability to modulate immune responses would have major health benefits. Dendritic cells (DC) are key regulators of the immune system. Different types of DC possess different cell surface molecules and have differing regulatory functions. We have identified four novel DC surface molecules that can be used to target different types of DC. We aim to use antibodies against these molecules to either enhance the effectiveness of vaccines or to suppress autoimmune diseases.
Var Gene Diversity And Naturally Acquired Immunity To Malaria
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$410,664.00
Summary
In areas where malaria is common, people develop natural immunity to the disease albeit very slowly due to the many parasite strains that circulate. The project will use protein microarrays to investigate the patterns by which antibodies are acquired to the majority of strains. This will reveal how antibodies are acquired with age and which are associated with protection against malaria symptoms. The research aims to identify biomarkers of malaria immunity and may lead to new vaccine candidates.
Population Genomics Of Plasmodium Falciparum Surface Antigen Genes
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$385,319.00
Summary
Like most other organisms, each malaria parasite has unique characteristics. A malaria vaccine will need to incorporate these differences to be effective against all parasites in a population. This project will measure the variability and fluctuations of eight of the most promising vaccine targets in a number of natural malaria populations. With this knowledge, a vaccine that is effective against all parasites in the population can be developed and its future success maintained.
Dendritic cells are a very rare type of white blood cell which play a critical role in the initiation of the immune response. They are of particular interest to scientists interested in vaccination, as for a vaccine to work effectively, the vaccine must be presented to the rest of the immune system by the dendritic cell. It has only recently become apparent that there are several types of dendritic cell, and these different types of dendritic cell vary in their ability to present a vaccine to th ....Dendritic cells are a very rare type of white blood cell which play a critical role in the initiation of the immune response. They are of particular interest to scientists interested in vaccination, as for a vaccine to work effectively, the vaccine must be presented to the rest of the immune system by the dendritic cell. It has only recently become apparent that there are several types of dendritic cell, and these different types of dendritic cell vary in their ability to present a vaccine to the immune system. We have already identified some proteins that are expressed on the surface of only one type of dendritic cell. We will explore the possible use of these proteins as a means of delivering a vaccine to only one type of dendritic cell. This project will also identify new genes that are expressed in some types of dendritic cells but not others. These new genes whose expression does differ amongst the dendritic cells are potential targets for manipulating the immune system and ensuring more efficient vaccination.Read moreRead less
Haematopoietic Stem Cell Glycome Regulates Outcome Of Niche Interactions
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$913,729.00
Summary
Hematopoietic stem cells (HSC) reside in the bone marrow (BM) and make all the cells of the blood system. We have found a factor in the BM which when blocked, puts normal HSC to sleep helping them survive chemotherapy. This means cancer patients should suffer less side-effects from their therapy. This factor also helps leukaemia stem cells (LSC) resist chemotherapy. Inhibitors may a) reduce patient mortality caused by chemotherapy and b) sensitise LSC to chemotherapy enabling long-term cure.
I am a cell biologist investigating the means by which intracellular compartmentalization of signalling proteins determines signalling outcomes and cell fate. I focus particularly on signals that regulate immune function and cancer progression.