Phase 1 Clinical Trial Of Autologous Dendritic Cells To Induce Antigen-specific Tolerance
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$165,125.00
Summary
We have previously generated modified dendritic cells in mice with the ability to suppress immune responses once they have started. This project will develop the dendritic cell vaccine as a platform technology for human clinical use. We aim to demonstrate, in a phase I clinical trial, the capacity of modified human autologous dendritic cells to suppress the immune response to a model antigen in a group of healthy volunteers and a group of patients with rheumatoid arthritis taking drugs for their ....We have previously generated modified dendritic cells in mice with the ability to suppress immune responses once they have started. This project will develop the dendritic cell vaccine as a platform technology for human clinical use. We aim to demonstrate, in a phase I clinical trial, the capacity of modified human autologous dendritic cells to suppress the immune response to a model antigen in a group of healthy volunteers and a group of patients with rheumatoid arthritis taking drugs for their diseaseRead moreRead less
The Molecular And Cellular Trajectories Of Clonal Dendritic Cell Development
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$826,742.00
Summary
Dendritic cells (DCs) are a blood cell type with a crucial role in our immune system. They are made in the bone marrow from stem and progenitor cells. How each of these cells individually makes DCs is complex and dynamic. We seek to understand this using cutting edge technologies to track each cell’s step-by-step role in this important process. This knowledge may help the use of DCs in the treatment of several diseases including autoimmunity and cancer.
A Virtual Map Of Haematopoiesis Using Cellular Barcoding
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$329,149.00
Summary
We have different types of infection-fighting white blood - the soliders of the immune system. They can all grow from a single stem cell like a seed grows into a tree. So, by understanding this complex process, new and better therapies for cancer, organ transplantation and infectious disease are constantly emerging. I aim to use a cutting-edge technology called ‘cellular barcoding’ to answer some of the age-old questions about how stem cells grow into white blood cells.
Tailoring Dendritic Cell Diversity To Advance Effective Immunotherapies
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$645,205.00
Summary
Dendritic cells (DCs) constitute the first line of defense against infection and cancer. To achieve this feat, DC have evolved into a sophisticated network of specialized subtypes, although how this diversification process occurs is yet to be fully clarified. We have uncovered a new molecule, termed DC-SCRIPT, which has a key role in establishing the DC network, specialization and function. This offers crucial new clues as to how to manipulate DCs to either boost or dampen the immune system.
Identifying Molecular Machinery In Dendritic Cells.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$687,500.00
Summary
Vaccines invoke immune responses that will protect a vaccinated host if they encounter infection. Vaccines can also be deployed to fight cancer. 'Dendritic cells' are the key immune cell responsible for vaccine immunity. While dendritic cells are pivotal to initiating vaccination, little is known about their internal machinery. This research proposal will identify new machinery for dendritic cell vaccine immunity that will serve as therapeutic targets to boost vaccination.
I am a stem cell scientist working on the biology of human embryonic stem cells and their differentiation into cells of mesodermal (blood, endothelium and cardiomyocyte) and endodermal (pancreatic islet cells) lineages.
Bacterial Metabolite Mediated Regulation Of The Immune And Metabolic Systems
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$303,374.00
Summary
The cellular and molecular events that underpin metabolic syndrome diseases, such as diabetes, fatty liver, etc are poorly understood. However recent advances provide new clues. First, the immune system is intimately connected to metabolism. Second, the gut microbiota, and its metabolites such as acetate and butyrate are also important. These metabolites induce epigenetic changes in cells. We will study how metabolites induce molecular changes epigenetically, and how this controls metabolism.
Dendritic cells are essential components of our immune systems. They are located throughout our body and provide the first line of defence against invading microbes. Dendritic cells sense the invader and send out signals to recruit our immune cells to the site of infection. Our research aims to understand how our dendritic cell network is set up and how it functions to promote our immune health.