Understanding Immunosuppressive Pathways In Cancer
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$419,178.00
Summary
Cancer-induced immune suppression is a major obstacle to the effective treatment of many cancers. Suppression can be mediated by cells of the immune system, or cancers themselves. My project aims to investigate 3 suppressive pathways and determine their hierarchy in different mouse models of cancer using mouse genetics and antibody-based treatment approaches. Understanding these processes ongoing in the cancer environment will allow the design of more effective cancer therapies.
Diet And Mental Health: Translating New Knowledge Into Innovative Prevention And Treatment Strategies
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$463,652.00
Summary
I have pioneered the development of a robust body of evidence demonstrating the important role of diet in mental health and I am now recognised internationally as a research leader in this new field. The next important step is to translate this knowledge into new prevention and treatment strategies in order to address the substantial global burden of illness attributable to mental disorders.
Systems Immunology Of Antigen Specific T Cells: From Single-cell To Immune Protection
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$470,144.00
Summary
T cells are key for establishment of immune protection and object of ongoing research in vaccines and more recently immunotherapy against infections and some cancers. Their dynamics are complex and many mechanisms remain unknown that could be exploited for modern therapies. Here, in a systems approach I will combined single cell technologies, immunology and computational biology to identify the factors that determine the establishment of long term memory cells utilising a unique set of samples.
Understanding And Modulating The Human Immune System
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$470,144.00
Summary
T cells are the sentinels of our immune system continually scanning our tissue for abnormalities and eliminating threats in many forms. They are our second and last line of defence against microorganisms and cancer. Unfortunately, T cells can also cause harm through accidental crossreactvity or overzealous function. My work is directed at understanding how T cells work and how they can be controlled using drugs and gene therapy. If we can ‘tune’ the power of this master immune lineage we can unl
Early Identification Of Degenerative Dementia Syndromes
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$380,558.00
Summary
With the continuing ageing of the population, an increasing number of adults will experience signs of dementia. Knowledge of the clinical presentation, disease mechanisms and evolution of frontotemporal dementia, a syndrome as common as Alzheimer’s disease in the < 65 year-old group, remains suboptimal. This research project will combine clinical investigations and brain imaging to improve diagnostic accuracy of this disease. This will lead to better treatment and management interventions.
Tolerance Induction By Antigen-presenting Cell-targeted Antigen
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$420,872.00
Summary
We have found that by ‘targeting’ antigen to the cells that ‘train’ the immune system we have been able to prevent the development of autoimmune disease. In the research proposed here we aim to develop new ways in which antigens can be targeted to these cells so that this approach can be applied clinically. The proposed studies will also determine how antigens targeted in this way restore self-tolerance and prevent autoimmune disease.