Determining Regulators Of ILC3 In Mucosal Barrier Function And Immune Homeostasis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$705,209.00
Summary
Innate lymphoid cells (ILCs) are specialized cells that defend the body against invading microorganisms at the body’s surfaces, mediate pathogen clearance and tissue repair but may also drive inflammatory conditions such as allergic asthma and inflammatory bowel disease. We will investigate the molecular switches that regulate this novel cell type and potentially uncover novel molecules or pathways for therapeutic targets.
Deciphering The Role Of Intron Retention In Monocyte Differentiation And Function
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$511,114.00
Summary
In 2013, we made a breakthrough discovery that certain parts of genes, previously considered “Junk DNA”, are actually carrying signals to control the amount of proteins produced in cells. We now wish to understand the roles of these signals in the development of a key immune cell called monocyte. Monocytes are important to fight infection and inflammation in diseases such as diabetes and cancer. We hope to advance our knowledge on how we can manipulate these cells for therapeutic gain.
The Transcriptional Control Of The Dendritic Cell Lineages
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$669,872.00
Summary
The immune system can discriminate between invading microorganisms and the body's own tissues. Dendritic cells are specialised to alert the immune system in the case of infection. In this project we aim to understand how dendritic cells are generated and how they function to control the immune response. We will achieve this aim by using state of the art genomic technologies to describe the genetic programme of dendritic cells. We hope that this knowledge will enable us to better harness the immu ....The immune system can discriminate between invading microorganisms and the body's own tissues. Dendritic cells are specialised to alert the immune system in the case of infection. In this project we aim to understand how dendritic cells are generated and how they function to control the immune response. We will achieve this aim by using state of the art genomic technologies to describe the genetic programme of dendritic cells. We hope that this knowledge will enable us to better harness the immune response in situations such as vaccination.Read moreRead less
Systems Genomics Of Childhood Trajectories In Immune Development And Asthma
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,001,092.00
Summary
Infant immune systems start at different competencies and mature at different rates. Little is known about this process and its effect on diseases such as asthma, allergy and respiratory infection. Using a prospective cohort, we aim to dissect the complexity of immune development in early life by characterizing its relationship with genetics, microbial colonization of the airways, and respiratory illness.
Multistage Vaccines For The Prevention Of Tuberculosis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$884,290.00
Summary
Almost two million people die from tuberculosis (TB) each year. The current vaccine, BCG, is ineffective at controlling TB and the type of immune response needed to protect against the disease is poorly understood. We have discovered new antigens of the TB bacterium, and we will combine them with novel delivery strategies to develop new TB vaccines. We will also determine the type of immune response needed to protect against TB, which will aid progression of vaccines into clinical trials.
Understanding The Mechanisms That Regulate Spleen Organogenesis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$414,227.00
Summary
Spleen is a organ with regenerative capacity but the cells driving this have been largely unexplored. A cell-type essential for spleen tissue formation was recently discovered, termed a spleen organiser cell. We are now are attempting to understand where these cells originate from, what cells they develop into, and which genes are important for spleen regeneration. These findings will advance fundamental knowledge of spleen development and lead to better strategies for spleen transplant therapy.
The Relationship Between Maternal And Infant Dietary Intake Of Fermentable Fibre, Gut Microbiota, Short Chain Fatty Acids And Allergic Disease And Asthma: A Population-derived Birth Cohort Study
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$871,700.00
Summary
The proposed study will involve the Barwon Infant Study (BIS) cohort of 1074 infants to provide the first systematic investigation of the hypotheses that the epidemic of allergic disease and asthma in many parts of the world relates to the paucity of fermentable fibre in the modern diet, and that the protective effect of fermentable fibre is mediated by changes in the organisms that colonise the gut and the metabolites that they produce.
Understanding The Role Of Innate Immune Cells In Regulating Gut-associated Lymphoid Tissues At Steady-state And In Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$365,126.00
Summary
The intestine is the largest surface area forming a protective barrier between the external environment and the body. It represents the first line of defence against invading pathogens. The immune system of the intestine is critical to protect this tissue -any breakdown leads to profound and progressive inflammatory disease of the gut such as chronic inflammatory bowel disease. Our work will determine the critical the mechanisms that protect the gut opening the door to targeted intestinal immuno ....The intestine is the largest surface area forming a protective barrier between the external environment and the body. It represents the first line of defence against invading pathogens. The immune system of the intestine is critical to protect this tissue -any breakdown leads to profound and progressive inflammatory disease of the gut such as chronic inflammatory bowel disease. Our work will determine the critical the mechanisms that protect the gut opening the door to targeted intestinal immunotherapeutics.Read moreRead less
The Mechanisms Of Epithelial Cell Survival That Govern Thymus Function
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$620,967.00
Summary
The thymus is an organ dedicated to the production of crucial immune cells, called T lymphocytes. Cancer treatments, such as radiation or chemotherapy, destroy thymic function and impair immune recovery in patients. We aim to uncover molecular processes that govern the life and death decisions of cells in the thymus. Our goal is to then use this information to develop treatments to protect this critical organ from damage and improve immune recovery following radiation or chemotherapy.
Understanding The Role Of SSB1 In Embryonic Development And Genome Maintenance
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$620,716.00
Summary
Normally DNA exists as a double helix where two strands are zipped together. When single-stranded (ss) DNA is exposed during various cellular processes it can be easily damaged and degraded by cellular enzymes, but is protected by ssDNA binding proteins (SSBs). We have identified two new SSBs (SSB1 and SSB2) that play a crucial role in DNA repair and will investigate the role and physiological function of these important proteins.