Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE220100165
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$451,900.00
Summary
Engineering T cells to promote peripheral immunity. Tissue-resident memory T cells (TRM) are key for immune protection against infections and cancer. This has led to much interest in understanding how these immune cells develop, although elucidation of molecules that regulate TRM are still scarce. This project aims to (i) identify genetic drivers of TRM in peripheral organs and (ii) modulate TRM generation utilising state-of-the-art genetic engineering techniques. Expected outcomes include gener ....Engineering T cells to promote peripheral immunity. Tissue-resident memory T cells (TRM) are key for immune protection against infections and cancer. This has led to much interest in understanding how these immune cells develop, although elucidation of molecules that regulate TRM are still scarce. This project aims to (i) identify genetic drivers of TRM in peripheral organs and (ii) modulate TRM generation utilising state-of-the-art genetic engineering techniques. Expected outcomes include generating new knowledge that will contribute to the development of novel therapeutics against infectious disease and cancer, together with the benefit of promoting national and international collaboration with the ultimate goal of improving health.Read moreRead less
CD1C-LIPID-REACTIVE T CELLS. The immune system patrols our body examining molecules such as proteins and lipids that signal whether or not everything is ok. While protein recognition by the immune system is well understood, our knowledge of the fundamental features of lipid detection is poor. This project will investigate the detection of lipid molecules that are presented to the immune system in association with a molecule known as CD1c. The aims are to understand: 1. The cells that respond to ....CD1C-LIPID-REACTIVE T CELLS. The immune system patrols our body examining molecules such as proteins and lipids that signal whether or not everything is ok. While protein recognition by the immune system is well understood, our knowledge of the fundamental features of lipid detection is poor. This project will investigate the detection of lipid molecules that are presented to the immune system in association with a molecule known as CD1c. The aims are to understand: 1. The cells that respond to these lipids; 2. The cellular receptors that bind to these lipids; 3. The types of lipids involved in this process. This work is essential for us to understand lipid-based immunology which is critical if we ultimately wish to harness this to improve human health.Read moreRead less
Understanding T cell immunity induced by infection. We aim to understand how killer T cells are “programmed” upon activation and acquire their characteristic functions and how these are maintained into immunological memory. This proposal will provide insights important for the design and improvement of vaccine strategies to fight pathogens such as influenza, HIV and even tumors.
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.
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE200100292
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$426,018.00
Summary
Defining the basis of unconventional immune cell development. This project aims to undertake discovery research to characterise the transcriptional programs that underpin the development of unconventional immune cells. This project expects to generate new knowledge in the area of developmental immunology by using cutting-edge molecular and cellular techniques to examine the seeding of immune cells. It is expected that this project will advance our understanding of immune cell biology and the pro ....Defining the basis of unconventional immune cell development. This project aims to undertake discovery research to characterise the transcriptional programs that underpin the development of unconventional immune cells. This project expects to generate new knowledge in the area of developmental immunology by using cutting-edge molecular and cellular techniques to examine the seeding of immune cells. It is expected that this project will advance our understanding of immune cell biology and the programs that control them. Significantly strengthening national excellence in unconventional immune cell research and providing innovative methodology. This should provide significant benefits, such as a comprehensive open-access transcriptional map of developing unconventional immune cells.Read moreRead less
Crosstalk between breast cancer cells and the microenvironment to promote metastasis. Breast cancer spread (metastasis) to distant tissues is usually fatal. It is now clear that cross-talk between cancer cells and other normal cells is essential for metastasis and previous studies have discovered two key mechanisms: tumour cell suppression of immune defence pathways to escape immune recognition, and activation of proteases to promote invasion and blood vessel growth. Using unique models and cell ....Crosstalk between breast cancer cells and the microenvironment to promote metastasis. Breast cancer spread (metastasis) to distant tissues is usually fatal. It is now clear that cross-talk between cancer cells and other normal cells is essential for metastasis and previous studies have discovered two key mechanisms: tumour cell suppression of immune defence pathways to escape immune recognition, and activation of proteases to promote invasion and blood vessel growth. Using unique models and cellular imaging, this project aims to investigate the cell specific functions of these pathways and the therapeutic potential of altering their expression and function. This project may lead to the development of novel predictors of metastasis in patients and new targeted therapeutics to prevent breast cancer spread.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE140100432
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$394,308.00
Summary
Defining the mechanisms of tissue-resident memory T cell development. We have recently identified a subset of T cells that reside at points of pathogen entry where they can effectively control infection. The ability of these T cells to offer local immunity has caused a paradigm shift in our view of how T cells protect against infection, drastically changing the way we think about designing T cell vaccines. This project aims to characterise this novel T cell subset, defining the fundamental requi ....Defining the mechanisms of tissue-resident memory T cell development. We have recently identified a subset of T cells that reside at points of pathogen entry where they can effectively control infection. The ability of these T cells to offer local immunity has caused a paradigm shift in our view of how T cells protect against infection, drastically changing the way we think about designing T cell vaccines. This project aims to characterise this novel T cell subset, defining the fundamental requirements for their formation and maintenance. This will lead to a greater understanding of their biology, which will be of significance for the development of novel vaccination strategies.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE110100106
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$350,000.00
Summary
An advanced flow cytometry facility for the Peter Doherty Institute. The establishment of a flow cytometry facility in the new Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity will enhance capacity to investigate immunity to a broad range of very serious diseases. This project will support researchers studying viral and bacterial infection as well as cancer and autoimmunity.
Mechanism of action of an anti-inflammatory compound which targets alternatively activated macrophages. The project will study the mechanism by which a novel anti-inflammatory compound, developed by our commercial partner, suppresses the activity of a population of cells known as alternatively activated macrophages. These cells play a key role in driving allergic inflammation, including the inflammation associated with asthma.
Antigen selection mechanisms control T cell immunity against bacteria. CD4+ T (T helper) cells are required to control many important bacterial infections. This Project aims to identify the key targets of CD4+ T cells responding to a model bacterial infection, and to correlate potential antigen effectiveness with native expression, antigen presentation, and the function of antigen-specific CD4+ T cells over time. Our validated experimental 'pipeline' has unprecedented potential to define potent ....Antigen selection mechanisms control T cell immunity against bacteria. CD4+ T (T helper) cells are required to control many important bacterial infections. This Project aims to identify the key targets of CD4+ T cells responding to a model bacterial infection, and to correlate potential antigen effectiveness with native expression, antigen presentation, and the function of antigen-specific CD4+ T cells over time. Our validated experimental 'pipeline' has unprecedented potential to define potent CD4+ T cell antigens within the thousands of proteins expressed by a bacterial pathogen. Our unbiased analysis may help establish the rules that define effective antigenicity. Our work will improve the understanding of bacterial immunity, and inform future design of T-cell based vaccines in the agricultural sector.Read moreRead less