Identifying The Molecular Basis Of Memory B Cell Function And Human Immunoglobulin E Memory Via Hyper Immunoglobulin E Syndromes
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$96,009.00
Summary
Memory B cells generate rapid and potent antibody responses to known threats. The molecular basis for this is unknown, but defects increase the risk of infection, autoimmunity, and allergy. Autoimmunity and allergy are often mediated by a poorly understood antibody subclass, immunoglobulin E (IgE). My project will use emerging single-cell technologies to reveal the molecular mechanisms of antibody memory and IgE regulation, enabling the design of superior vaccines and immunomodulatory therapy.
Development Of Clinical Algorithms To Diagnose And Predict Prognosis Of Food Allergy
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$136,636.00
Summary
Australia has the highest rate of food allergy internationally. Despite ongoing research into the area, there is currently no cure, with patient avoidance the most effective mode for the prevention of food allergy. A food challenge still the gold standard for food allergy diagnosis, and although definitive, is associated with a risk of anaphylaxis. My research aims to identify the biological differences between active disease and being healthy to develop novel diagnostic methods for food allergy
Effects Of Allergens On Dendritic Cell Function In Allergic Asthma
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$254,250.00
Summary
In recent decades, there has been a nearly three-fold increase in the prevalence of allergic diseases such as asthma. Although the reason these diseases have increased in prevalence remains unknown, we suspect the way in which the immune system responds to foreign proteins in the environment may be very important in determining whether an individual develops allergic disease or not. How and why individuals with allergic asthma respond excessively and inappropriately to inhalation of a small rang ....In recent decades, there has been a nearly three-fold increase in the prevalence of allergic diseases such as asthma. Although the reason these diseases have increased in prevalence remains unknown, we suspect the way in which the immune system responds to foreign proteins in the environment may be very important in determining whether an individual develops allergic disease or not. How and why individuals with allergic asthma respond excessively and inappropriately to inhalation of a small range of seemingly innocuous proteins (allergens) is a central question in respiratory medicine and allergy. We propose that investigating the way that antigen presenting dendritic cells (DC) respond directly to allergens will shed important light on this issue, as DC are fundamental to our ability to deal with foreign antigens and to generate an appropriate immune response. The overall hypothesis underpinning this proposal is that allergens induce specific responses in DC from individuals with allergic asthma, and that this contributes to the maintenance and amplification of allergic tissue inflammation in this disease. Understanding the ways in which DC respond to clinically relevant allergens will lead to significant progress in understanding the pathogenesis of allergic asthma. This project was recommended for funding last year, but was relinquished when one of the previous co-investigators on last year's grant was awarded a Program grant.Read moreRead less
Novel Methods To Diagnose Clinical Egg Allergy And Predict Prognostic Outcomes
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$318,768.00
Summary
Australia has the highest rate of food allergy in the world. Despite ongoing research into the area, there is currently no cure, with patient avoidance the most effective way to prevent food reactions. A food challenge is the gold standard for food allergy diagnosis. Although definitive, it is associated with a risk of anaphylaxis. My research aims to identify the biological differences between having food allergy and not having food allergy to develop novel diagnostic methods.