Deciphering IFN Type III, TGF?, IL-10 And Adenosine Pathways In Natural Killer Cells: Enhancing The Innate Anti-metastatic Response Against Breast Cancer Progression
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$320,891.00
Summary
This project will determine whether one or more factors produced in tumours (eg. cell hormones and metabolites) inhibits NK cells from controlling breast cancer spread using the best available mouse tumour models. We will use genetics to specifically delete response to these factors by NK cells. It is a completely novel approach and this information will allow for the more rational design of cancer treatments following surgery and local radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy.
Control Of Haematological Cancers By Natural Killer Cells
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$314,644.00
Summary
Haematological cancers affect the blood and lymphoid organs and are generally lethal. Therapies targeting the anti-tumour capacities of the immune system have shown promising results in cancer patients. Natural Killer (NK) cells are key players of anti-tumour immune responses. This project will provide a better understanding of NK cell-mediated control of haematological malignancies that will be directly applied to the design of new curative therapies for blood cancer patients.
The Differential Contribution Of Programmed Death-1 Ligands To Malarial Immunity
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$327,784.00
Summary
This research aims to understand how the Malaria parasite, which causes one of the world’s deadliest diseases, evades immunity. It will provide a significant advance in our knowledge of immunity against malaria and impact on current strategies to develop an efficacious vaccine or treatment for malaria.
Cancer Immunotherapy Utilizing A Novel Receptor For Programmed Cell Death-1 Ligand 2
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$577,857.00
Summary
Immuno-modulators utilize the patient’s own immune system to eliminate or slow the growth of cancerous cells. We have identified a novel immuno-modulator which could be a significant player in immune-modulation therapy for the treatment of cancer. We will use the development grant to develop a product which has significant potential to be the next generation treatment for cancer.
Targeting Epigenetic Mechanisms Of Immune Evasion In Cancer
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,425,280.00
Summary
Proteins called MHC class I and II on the surface of cancer cells act as sensors that allow the immune system to recognise cancer cells as abnormal and destroy them. However, cancer cells have developed ways to hide from the immune system by silencing MHC class I and II. This project aims to identify ways to overcome this silencing and restore MHC class I and II to the surface of the cancer cells, allowing them to be treated with therapies that activate immune cells to eradicate the tumour.
The Role Of MHC In Immune Evasion: Insights From A Contagious Cancer
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$260,677.00
Summary
An aggressive, contagious cancer, Devil Facial Tumour Disease (DFTD), has emerged in the Tasmanian devil population. We are using the devil tumour to study how cancer is recognized by the immune system and ways in which cancer can 'escape' from the immune system. This research will contribute to our understanding of human cancer and help save an iconic Australian species from extinction.
Exploiting Anti-capsid Humoral Immunity Induced In Infants Receiving Gene Therapy For Spinal Muscular Atrophy To Engineer The Next Generation Of Gene Transfer Vectors
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,105,993.00
Summary
After 25 years of incremental progress the possibility of treating genetic disease by gene therapy has become a therapeutic reality. This has been achieved by harnessing the gene transfer power of viruses made harmless by genetic engineering. A major limitation is that up to 50% of patients are currently excluded by pre-existing immunity to these powerful tools. Using 'evolution in a dish', we will engineer a new generation of these tools capable of bypassing pre-existing immunity by stealth.
The Phenotype Of Protective Cytotoxic T Cell Responses During Viral Infections
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$841,114.00
Summary
T cell responses are important to establish protection against pathogens and some cancer via generation of memory cells that can be maintained long term and defeat promptly re-infections. This proposal aim at determining important factors that drive the success of immunological memory by employing single cell technologies and unique longitudinal samples from subjects infected with hepatitis C virus. The finding of this study will inform current vaccine research and immunotherapies.
Pathogenic Consequences And Mechanistic Insights Of Daptomycin Resistance In Staphylococcus Aureus
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$540,633.00
Summary
Staphylococcus aureus is one of the most common human bacterial pathogens. This project aims to characterise the mechanisms that Staph uses to develop resistance to one of our last-line antibiotics, and will determine the effects of this resistance on the ability of the bacteria to cause human disease.