The Australian Research Data Commons (ARDC) invites you to participate in a short survey about your
interaction with the ARDC and use of our national research infrastructure and services. The survey will take
approximately 5 minutes and is anonymous. It’s open to anyone who uses our digital research infrastructure
services including Reasearch Link Australia.
We will use the information you provide to improve the national research infrastructure and services we
deliver and to report on user satisfaction to the Australian Government’s National Collaborative Research
Infrastructure Strategy (NCRIS) program.
Please take a few minutes to provide your input. The survey closes COB Friday 29 May 2026.
Complete the 5 min survey now by clicking on the link below.
Unrestricted antigen recognition by T lymphocytes. This project aims to investigate the unrestricted T cell repertoire; the molecular and structural basis of antigen recognition by unrestricted T cells; and the development of unrestricted T cells. T lymphocytes typically are restricted to detecting foreign molecules (antigens) on the cell membrane in association with specialised antigen-presenting molecules encoded within the highly polymorphic major histocompatibility (MHC) locus (MHC restricti ....Unrestricted antigen recognition by T lymphocytes. This project aims to investigate the unrestricted T cell repertoire; the molecular and structural basis of antigen recognition by unrestricted T cells; and the development of unrestricted T cells. T lymphocytes typically are restricted to detecting foreign molecules (antigens) on the cell membrane in association with specialised antigen-presenting molecules encoded within the highly polymorphic major histocompatibility (MHC) locus (MHC restriction). T lymphocytes that can recognise antigens in the absence of MHC or MHC like molecules challenges a major paradigm in the field of immunology. As T cell based therapy underpins treatments for cancer and infection, new mechanisms of T cell activation that are independent of patient genotype should ultimately create opportunities for therapeutic and commercial development, leading to both health and economic benefits.Read moreRead less
microRNAs and the control of T lymphocyte differentiation, function and malignant transformation. The molecular mechanism of the immune system is not completely understood. This project will investigate how transcription factors and microRNAs, two major types of regulatory molecules work together to control immune responses. The results from this research will assist in the design of better vaccination strategies and treat certain lymphomas.
Atypical T cell receptor recognition of monomorphic CD1 antigen-presenting molecule. T lymphocytes are white blood cells that respond to foreign molecules (antigens). Until recently, most known antigens were proteins. This project will study how T lymphocytes recognise a different class of antigen (glycolipids) that are likely to play an equally important role in the immune system.
Gamma delta T cells specific for glycolipid antigens. Gamma delta T cells are an enigmatic component of the immune system that use a unique class of cell surface receptors (gamma delta T cell receptors). Despite having been discovered 30 years ago, very little is known about what these cells recognise and respond to, and therefore what is their function. A population of gamma delta T cells that respond via their T cell receptor to particular forms of lipid molecules presented by an antigen prese ....Gamma delta T cells specific for glycolipid antigens. Gamma delta T cells are an enigmatic component of the immune system that use a unique class of cell surface receptors (gamma delta T cell receptors). Despite having been discovered 30 years ago, very little is known about what these cells recognise and respond to, and therefore what is their function. A population of gamma delta T cells that respond via their T cell receptor to particular forms of lipid molecules presented by an antigen presenting molecule, CD1d has been identified. The aim of this project is to isolate these T cell receptors and investigate the interaction at the molecular level in order to understand the parameters that trigger activation of these cells. This will provide fundamental insight into a key component of the immune system.Read moreRead less
Convergence of biomaterials and immunology: a technology platform for delayed burst release of vaccines. A large challenge in vaccination, particularly in wildlife such as for the growing problem of Chlamydia in koalas, is to provide the necessary booster shots. This project will develop implants that will be inserted under the skin at the time of the first shot, and will spontaneously burst later to release the booster shot to provide protection.
Antimicrobial peptides and immunological protection in a developing mammal. This project offers the opportunity to deliver both economic and scientific benefits, both in the isolation of novel antimicrobials and in positioning Australia's native fauna as important, unique biomedical research models. Antimicrobial peptides offer a solution to the current pressing problem of microbial resistance to antibiotics. This project seeks to isolate such compounds from a previously uninvestigated source, u ....Antimicrobial peptides and immunological protection in a developing mammal. This project offers the opportunity to deliver both economic and scientific benefits, both in the isolation of novel antimicrobials and in positioning Australia's native fauna as important, unique biomedical research models. Antimicrobial peptides offer a solution to the current pressing problem of microbial resistance to antibiotics. This project seeks to isolate such compounds from a previously uninvestigated source, unique to Australia. This project will provide a new perspective on the role of innate protection in a developing mammal, with possible human applications.Read moreRead less
Improving immune response to vaccines by selective targeting of epithelial regions with the Nanopatch. Vaccination protects us from infections like measles and flu. In principle, it could protect us from all diseases, even from skin cancer and arthritis. In practice, however, vaccines to diseases like cancer have largely proved ineffective. One problem is that we don't really understand how the body's immune system responds to vaccination. Our aim, therefore, is to investigate changes in the imm ....Improving immune response to vaccines by selective targeting of epithelial regions with the Nanopatch. Vaccination protects us from infections like measles and flu. In principle, it could protect us from all diseases, even from skin cancer and arthritis. In practice, however, vaccines to diseases like cancer have largely proved ineffective. One problem is that we don't really understand how the body's immune system responds to vaccination. Our aim, therefore, is to investigate changes in the immune system when a vaccine enters the skin, as might happen by injection. Experimenting with laboratory mice and a special vaccine-injecting Nanopatch that is attached to each mouse's ear, we are starting to understand how a vaccine affects the immune cells in the skin. In the future we plan to apply this knowledge to improve vaccination in people.Read moreRead less
Intramembrane Mechanics of Immunoreceptor Signalling. The cells of the immune system constantly survey the body for markers of injury and infection through molecular sensors that are responsive to the presence of pathogens, tumours and damaged cells. The goal of this project is to understand how the mechanical action of these molecular sensors direct the transmission of information to the cell interior.
Ecological immunity in the Lepidoptera: unravelling the relationship between immune function, sperm quality, and reproductive success. The effect of juvenile immune challenge and an individual's population ecology on subsequent adult immune function, physiology and reproductive success is poorly understood, despite its ability to explain fundamental processes in sexual selection. This project will unravel the relationship between immune function, sperm quality, and reproductive success.
Structure and function of novel macrophage proteins using high throughput crystallography. We will combine the cutting edge technologies of microarray analysis and high throughput crystallography in an innovative approach to study the structure and function of important and uncharacterised macrophage proteins. Our strategy for targeting novel macrophage proteins will maximise the success rate of structure determination, while at the same time focusing our efforts on proteins that are important i ....Structure and function of novel macrophage proteins using high throughput crystallography. We will combine the cutting edge technologies of microarray analysis and high throughput crystallography in an innovative approach to study the structure and function of important and uncharacterised macrophage proteins. Our strategy for targeting novel macrophage proteins will maximise the success rate of structure determination, while at the same time focusing our efforts on proteins that are important in macrophage biology. Structures of the novel proteins will underpin functional analysis at a molecular level and could represent a basis for inhibitor design should the proteins ultimately be shown to be therapeutic targets.Read moreRead less