Understanding The Complexity Of Antigen Presentation
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$774,540.00
Summary
I have developed and established the use of mass spectrometry to identify and quantitate ligands of antigen presenting molecules to understand the breadth of immune responses in a variety of human disease states including autoimmunity, cancer, infection and allergy. By embedding the technology in disease focussed research programs I will define the molecular bases of these diseases and the important immunological targets that will provide new avenues for therapeutic development and vaccines.
Novel Endocrine Approaches To Diagnosis & Treatment Of Men With Prostate Cancer
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$926,980.00
Summary
Most men are diagnosed with localised prostate cancer, others have advanced disease. Vision: Identify how tumours are insignificant vs aggressive (Aim 1.1 & 1.2). Predict which tumours will progress to incurable disease (Aim 1.3) and how to target them (Aim 1.4). Discover how each patient tumour is different (Aim 2.1) and pre-clinically test new therapies (Aim 2.2). Outcomes: practice changing discoveries that identify novel therapeutic targets & biomarkers improving diagnosis and treatment.
Male Reproductive Health Including Prostate Cancer
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$727,685.00
Summary
My previous contributions to Andrology and Endocrinology of the Testis provide me with a significant breadth of expertise and a sustained record of contribution to Men’s Reproductive Health. My recent research effort has focused on Urology and prostate cancer. Through my prostate cancer research program, my overall strategy is to understand the biology of the prostate gland to enable the development of new therapies for prostate cancer, as well as for BPH (enlargement of the prostate) and prosta ....My previous contributions to Andrology and Endocrinology of the Testis provide me with a significant breadth of expertise and a sustained record of contribution to Men’s Reproductive Health. My recent research effort has focused on Urology and prostate cancer. Through my prostate cancer research program, my overall strategy is to understand the biology of the prostate gland to enable the development of new therapies for prostate cancer, as well as for BPH (enlargement of the prostate) and prostatitis (inflammation of the prostate gland).Read moreRead less
Genetic factors responsible for risk of breast and prostate cancer are largely unknown. Mutations in genes currently known to be associated with susceptibility only account for a small proportion of the familial aggregation of these cancers. I will be applying new genetic technology to population-based studies of cancer to identify new genetic and epigenetic markers of cancer risk. I will use this information to improve health care for families with prostate and breast cancer.
Antigen-presenting cells control immune responses. Different types of these cells do different jobs and affect different diseases. We wish to control these processes by determining how the cells live and die. In particular we are interested in controlling the local immune responses during rejection of islet transplantation, which can cure type 1 diabetes.
A Proteome-wide Approach To Anti-viral Immunity And Vaccine Development
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$622,655.00
Summary
We know that many parts of viruses are displayed to the immune system, but at present the exact fragments are difficult to predict, we do not know all the genes in our bodies that control this process and we also need better methods to study the way some viruses (e.g. the cold sore virus) avoid detection. This project will study these problems with the overall goal of improving vaccine design, understanding immune deficiency and how viruses fight back against our immune system.
Defining The Role Of The PSA-related Kallikrein Serine Proteases In Hormone Dependent Cancer Progression
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$880,454.00
Summary
Kallikreins are a family of 15 proteins, related to the prostate cancer biomarker PSA, that have potential as biomarkers for hormone dependent cancers such as prostate and ovarian cancer. Prof Judith Clements and her team discovered that kallikreins induce resistance to chemotherapy in ovarian cancer and are found in prostate cancer bone disease. Her research will determine the underlying mechanisms of kallikrein action and their potential as new biomarkers or treatment targets for these disease ....Kallikreins are a family of 15 proteins, related to the prostate cancer biomarker PSA, that have potential as biomarkers for hormone dependent cancers such as prostate and ovarian cancer. Prof Judith Clements and her team discovered that kallikreins induce resistance to chemotherapy in ovarian cancer and are found in prostate cancer bone disease. Her research will determine the underlying mechanisms of kallikrein action and their potential as new biomarkers or treatment targets for these diseases.Read moreRead less
Biochemistry And Cell Biology Of Antigen Presentation And T Cell Activation
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$763,409.00
Summary
José Villadangos studies the cells and molecules involved in Antigen Presentation. This phenomenon consists of the detection, capture and display of microbe fragments on the surface of Antigen Presenting Cells (APC) for recognition by T cells. This initiates an immune response that culminates in the deployment of cells and molecules armed to fight the infection. His research may lead to development of more effective vaccines and prevention of autoimmunity, allergy and transplant rejection.
T cells play a pivotal role in the immune system by recognising viral peptides presented by "HLA" molecules on infected cells through the use of T cell receptors (TCRs). I will investigate the variables that influence T lymphocyte recognition of human herpesvirus infection, including variability in TCR, HLA, and viral genes. Understanding the impact of these variables on how we fight infections will aid in the development of new "intelligent" vaccines and immune-based therapies.