Determining The Role Of DOCK8 In CD4+ T And B Cell Differentiation And Its Implications On Autosomal Recessive Hyper IgE Syndrome (AR-HIES)
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$512,600.00
Summary
Autosomal recessive hyper IgE (AR-HIES) syndrome due to mutations in DOCK8 is a rare primary immunodeficiency whereby patients present with susceptibility to severe and recurrent viral infections as well as an increased risk of developing cancer, severe food and environmental allergies, and atopic disease characterised by hyper IgE and extreme eosinophilia. This grant will investigate how abnormal DOCK8 function in CD4+ T cells and B cells contributes to disease pathogenesis in AR-HIES patients.
Utilising Human Primary Immunodeficiencies To Study Lymphocyte Differentiation
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$429,346.00
Summary
Human immunodeficiencies are diseases arising from naturally occurring mutations. In this instance, the specific genes mutated in the immunodeficiencies we study have been identified. However, it is unclear how defects in these genes make an individual manifest as an immune deficient state, rendering them vulnerable to disease. By studying immune cells from these individuals we hope to uncover the normal function of these genes and subsequently provide for new therapies for these conditions.
I am an infectious diseases physician and virologist/immunologist focused on developing and testing vaccines against the AIDS virus. I intend to achieve this by advancing novel vaccine concepts that stimulate broad and potent immunity and evaluating these vaccines in rigorous laboratory models and then moving them towards clinical trials.
A vaccine for hepatitis C virus (HCV) is not yet available. Immune responses that are able to protect against infection are possible, making the production of a vaccine a realistic goal. We have produced a unique HCV vaccine and are now poised to test our vaccine in novel humanised animal models. Our research will allow us to determine the immune responses responsible for providing protection against HCV. Our data will be highly significant for future HCV vaccine studies in humans.
Host Parasite Interactions: Disease, Pathogenesis And Control
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$13,738,897.00
Summary
Our program will investigate two major global parasitic diseases: malaria and leishmaniasis. We will explore how the parasites identify and invade the host. This is a critical stage of the infection and we will characterise proteins involved as they are potential targets for drugs and vaccines against the parasites. Many of these recognition and interaction components are excellent candidates for the development of vaccines to interrupt the cycle of infection. We are also unravelling metabolic p ....Our program will investigate two major global parasitic diseases: malaria and leishmaniasis. We will explore how the parasites identify and invade the host. This is a critical stage of the infection and we will characterise proteins involved as they are potential targets for drugs and vaccines against the parasites. Many of these recognition and interaction components are excellent candidates for the development of vaccines to interrupt the cycle of infection. We are also unravelling metabolic pathways unique to the parasites using a mixture of genetic and computational tools complemented with sophisticated instrumentation to chemically identify the parasite�s entire repertoire of metabolic compounds. These pathways, absent from human hosts, are also highly vulnerable and we will feed the key steps into the drug development facet of the program. Our program also looks at how the parasites cause disease and how the host responds to the disease. We will explore the reactions of the immune system to infection and consequences of the body�s (often only partially successful) attempts to fight off the disease.Read moreRead less
Understanding The Importance Of Panton-Valentine Leukocidin Production In Australian Isolates Of Staphylococcus Aureus.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$118,796.00
Summary
New strains of the superbug methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) have emerged in the community, causing severe, sometimes fatal infections in otherwise healthy people. These strains, called community-acquired MRSA produce a toxin (Panton-Valentine leukocidin). This project will provide important information about how this toxin promotes disease, and how the immune system responds to the toxin, providing the basis for the development of immunotherapies against this new superbug.
I am a viral immunologist studying the requirements for an effective host response to viral infection. I am also investigating the potential for the development of efficacious vaccines to protect against infection and ways of intervening in the disease pr
The Role Of B7 Family Members In The Generation Of Immunological Memory
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$437,252.00
Summary
Memory immune cells remember antigens that have previously induced an immune response. Therefore, they can react quickly and rigorously to stop subsequent infections. This project will study the role of the B7 family of proteins in communication between memory cells and other cells of the immune system to produce lifetime protection against foreign antigens. Understanding these processes will assist in creating more effective vaccines and treatments for immunodeficient or autoimmune patients.