The Molecular And Cellular Trajectories Of Clonal Dendritic Cell Development
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$826,742.00
Summary
Dendritic cells (DCs) are a blood cell type with a crucial role in our immune system. They are made in the bone marrow from stem and progenitor cells. How each of these cells individually makes DCs is complex and dynamic. We seek to understand this using cutting edge technologies to track each cell’s step-by-step role in this important process. This knowledge may help the use of DCs in the treatment of several diseases including autoimmunity and cancer.
The Phenotype Of Protective Cytotoxic T Cell Responses During Viral Infections
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$841,114.00
Summary
T cell responses are important to establish protection against pathogens and some cancer via generation of memory cells that can be maintained long term and defeat promptly re-infections. This proposal aim at determining important factors that drive the success of immunological memory by employing single cell technologies and unique longitudinal samples from subjects infected with hepatitis C virus. The finding of this study will inform current vaccine research and immunotherapies.
Mapping The Steps And Deciphering The Mechanisms Crucial In Dendritic Cell Development.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$582,064.00
Summary
Dendritic cells (DCs) are a type of white blood that kick-start immune responses. There are various types of DCs that specialize in, for example, clearing viral, bacterial or fungal infections, and are even used to fight cancer. Understanding how DCs grow, therefore, has many clinical benefits. This project aims to understand these processes and identify new regulators of their growth using cutting edge technologies and strategies.
A cellular hub for the organisation of T cell priming. This project aims to delineate the cellular interactions involved in the initiation of immune responses by utilising advanced in vivo imaging. Adaptive immunity in vertebrates functions via the acquisition of signals by immune cells via complex interactions with other immune cells, yet these exchanges are difficult to observe and define. This project expects to provide insights into the mechanisms that underpin effective cell-mediated immune ....A cellular hub for the organisation of T cell priming. This project aims to delineate the cellular interactions involved in the initiation of immune responses by utilising advanced in vivo imaging. Adaptive immunity in vertebrates functions via the acquisition of signals by immune cells via complex interactions with other immune cells, yet these exchanges are difficult to observe and define. This project expects to provide insights into the mechanisms that underpin effective cell-mediated immune responses. The expected outcomes are to generate fundamental new knowledge about immune responses and enhance capacity to study the immune system. This could benefit future development of new vaccines and therapies to improve health.Read moreRead less
Defining the immunological roles of stromal cells within lymphoid tissues. The populations of endothelial and mesenchymal cells that construct the lymphoid tissues are being revealed as key players in the priming and orchestration of immune responses. Yet, fundamental knowledge of the molecular makeup and the functions of these stromal cells, particularly their roles in immune responses, is sorely lacking. This project will utilise a multidisciplinary approach including advanced imaging and bioi ....Defining the immunological roles of stromal cells within lymphoid tissues. The populations of endothelial and mesenchymal cells that construct the lymphoid tissues are being revealed as key players in the priming and orchestration of immune responses. Yet, fundamental knowledge of the molecular makeup and the functions of these stromal cells, particularly their roles in immune responses, is sorely lacking. This project will utilise a multidisciplinary approach including advanced imaging and bioinformatics to dissect the functions of the lymphoid stromal cells and their roles in the swelling of lymphoid tissues during immune responses. This will provide vital information about the biology of these understudied cells and reveal the ways in which they support the generation of immunity.Read moreRead less
Cellular Organisation of Protective Immune Responses. Our immune system consists of a task force of white blood cells that coordinate to defeat invading pathogens. Research has revealed a cell receptor, CXCR3, controls immune cell interactions, which determine immune control and protection during initial cell activation and viral infection. This project will use a multi-disciplinary approach combining viral immunology, unique mouse models, advanced imaging, and bioinformatic analyses to dissect ....Cellular Organisation of Protective Immune Responses. Our immune system consists of a task force of white blood cells that coordinate to defeat invading pathogens. Research has revealed a cell receptor, CXCR3, controls immune cell interactions, which determine immune control and protection during initial cell activation and viral infection. This project will use a multi-disciplinary approach combining viral immunology, unique mouse models, advanced imaging, and bioinformatic analyses to dissect the cellular conversations that underpin immune protection. Revealing the mechanisms of cellular interactions during an immune response will have a major impact on development of targeted vaccines, and therapeutics (particularly for chronic infections and cancer), which are major health burdens.Read moreRead less
Unraveling the chromatin networks that control T lymphocyte differentiation. The development of T cell responses is essential for fighting infection but in some cases T cells can also cause allergy and autoimmune diseases. Previous research has shown by understanding the complex chromatin circuitry that underlie T cell function, therapies can be designed to rewire harmful T cells. This project will use a multi-disciplinary approach that combines expertise in cutting-edge molecular techniques wit ....Unraveling the chromatin networks that control T lymphocyte differentiation. The development of T cell responses is essential for fighting infection but in some cases T cells can also cause allergy and autoimmune diseases. Previous research has shown by understanding the complex chromatin circuitry that underlie T cell function, therapies can be designed to rewire harmful T cells. This project will use a multi-disciplinary approach that combines expertise in cutting-edge molecular techniques with unique mouse models and bioinformatics to develop a fundamental understanding of the chromatin architecture and epigenetic networks that control important steps of T cell differentiation during development, allergy and infection.Read moreRead less