The immune system plays an important role in protecting the host from viral and bacterial infections, and inhibits cancer onset and progression. Unfortunately the immune system can sometimes lose specificity and attack the host resulting in autoimmune diseases such as diabetes. This research team has played a vital role in characterising the specific activities of immune cells and the associated factors. By understanding these complex processes the team aims to harness the unique therapeutic pro ....The immune system plays an important role in protecting the host from viral and bacterial infections, and inhibits cancer onset and progression. Unfortunately the immune system can sometimes lose specificity and attack the host resulting in autoimmune diseases such as diabetes. This research team has played a vital role in characterising the specific activities of immune cells and the associated factors. By understanding these complex processes the team aims to harness the unique therapeutic properties of our own immune system and translate their findings into the clinic.Read moreRead less
Immune Regulation, Effector Function And Human Therapy
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$11,474,346.00
Summary
The immune system plays an important role in protecting the host from viral and bacterial infections, and inhibits cancer onset and progression. Immune processes proceed through specialised cells in conjunction with soluble factors such as inteferons and interleukins. These soluble factors can regulate the activities of immune cells, and inhibit the growth and survival of aberrant (virus infected, cancer) cells. Unfortunately, the immune system can sometimes lose specificity and attack the host, ....The immune system plays an important role in protecting the host from viral and bacterial infections, and inhibits cancer onset and progression. Immune processes proceed through specialised cells in conjunction with soluble factors such as inteferons and interleukins. These soluble factors can regulate the activities of immune cells, and inhibit the growth and survival of aberrant (virus infected, cancer) cells. Unfortunately, the immune system can sometimes lose specificity and attack the host, resulting in autoimmune diseases such as diabetes. This research team has played a vital role in characterising the specific activities of immune cells and the associated factors. Importantly, they are deciphering the intricate communication networks of these immune components and dissecting their modes of action. By understanding these complex processes, the team aims to harness the unique therapeutic properties of our own immune system and translate their findings into the clinic. The team is developing new immune-based therapies for use, either alone or in combination with existing chemotherapies to fight debilitating human diseases such as cancer and autoimmune disease.Read moreRead less
This Program Grant has three investigators, Professor Denis Moss, Dr Rajiv Khanna and Dr Scott Burrows, each of whom has collaborated on two previous Program Grants. The group is well known in the area of herpesvirus immunology and have published numerous scientific papers in leading medical journals. This program grant focuses on two human herpesviruses. The first is called Epstein-Barr virus which causes glandular fever and is associated with arange of human cancers. The second virus is human ....This Program Grant has three investigators, Professor Denis Moss, Dr Rajiv Khanna and Dr Scott Burrows, each of whom has collaborated on two previous Program Grants. The group is well known in the area of herpesvirus immunology and have published numerous scientific papers in leading medical journals. This program grant focuses on two human herpesviruses. The first is called Epstein-Barr virus which causes glandular fever and is associated with arange of human cancers. The second virus is human cytomegalovirus which can cause birth defects and problems in transplant patients. In this program we are investigating how the body�s immune system controls these viruses to exploit this information to develop new treatments.Read moreRead less
Immunological Therapies For Cancer And Autoimmunity
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$4,928,323.00
Summary
The programme team comprises a group of leading scientists with a history of successful investigation into the mechanisms and treatment of diseases in which the immune system plays a role in their development. These include cancers of the cervix and blood system, and autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and type 1 diabetes. Working together, the team have made discoveries that have led to testing and clinical development of new treatments for these diseases. In this programme, the te ....The programme team comprises a group of leading scientists with a history of successful investigation into the mechanisms and treatment of diseases in which the immune system plays a role in their development. These include cancers of the cervix and blood system, and autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and type 1 diabetes. Working together, the team have made discoveries that have led to testing and clinical development of new treatments for these diseases. In this programme, the team aims to discover mechanisms regulating the immune response, and to exploit this knowledge to define new ways of switching on or off, specific immune responses. We will particularly seek to develop novel vaccines for chronic infections and autoimmune diseases, and to improve the safety of bone marrow transplantation.Read moreRead less
Pathogenesis Of Persistent Human Virus Infections Of Global Significance
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$6,571,328.00
Summary
The study will investigate why humans cannot eradicate particular viruses (HIV-AIDS, cytomegalovirus and herpes simplex virus), the long term effects of these viruses and ways to improve control. Current treatments can only partly suppress the levels of these viruses, because they persist in certain parts of the body called reservoirs, only to resurge later causing disease. Thus, the overall aim of the research program is to discover the mechanisms by which these viruses are able to successfully ....The study will investigate why humans cannot eradicate particular viruses (HIV-AIDS, cytomegalovirus and herpes simplex virus), the long term effects of these viruses and ways to improve control. Current treatments can only partly suppress the levels of these viruses, because they persist in certain parts of the body called reservoirs, only to resurge later causing disease. Thus, the overall aim of the research program is to discover the mechanisms by which these viruses are able to successfully persist within reservoirs in the human body. The research program brings together a group of 6 leading scientists and clinicians located at 3 sites in 2 Australian cities. The team is comprised of experts in the study of HIV-AIDS, cytomegalovirus and herpes simplex virus who will combine their knowledge and expertise to speed up the process of research on these viruses that are of major health importance. Studies will also utilise a number of cutting edge technologies that now make it possible to much more rapidly and precisely determine how viruses cause disease. Advances in our understanding of how viruses persist may form the basis for treatments aimed at controlling persistent infections and the serious diseases caused by these viruses.Read moreRead less
THE INTERFACE BETWEEN INNATE AND ADAPTIVE IMMUNITY
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$4,905,420.00
Summary
Allergic disorders including asthma are amongst the most prevalent diseases in Australia afflicting up to 25% of the population and costing the Australian Government in excess of $600 million annually. This program aims to understand the molecular and cellular mechanisms controlling airway inflammation, focusing on the cross-talk between scavenger cells at airway surfaces and circulating cells of the immune system. These studies will combine sophisticated mouse models of airway inflammation in t ....Allergic disorders including asthma are amongst the most prevalent diseases in Australia afflicting up to 25% of the population and costing the Australian Government in excess of $600 million annually. This program aims to understand the molecular and cellular mechanisms controlling airway inflammation, focusing on the cross-talk between scavenger cells at airway surfaces and circulating cells of the immune system. These studies will combine sophisticated mouse models of airway inflammation in the laboratory with clinical investigation and analysis of human tissue. Understanding these processes will translate into better treatments for patients suffering from life-threatening allergy and asthma.Read moreRead less