Repurposing Thalidomide Derivatives To Augment Cancer Immunotherapy
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,154,196.00
Summary
Immunotherapies are a revolutionary approach for cancer treatment, but most people with cancer do not respond to therapy. We have identified a new set of molecular switches that shutdown immune function and limit responsiveness to existing immunotherapies. Importantly, we have found a class of approved drugs that can block these immune 'off switches'. This proposal will test if these drugs could be repurposed as a novel treatment to amplify the efficacy of existing immunotherapies.
Characterisation And Targeting T Cellular Metabolism To Improve Control Of Chronic Viral Infections
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$791,427.00
Summary
CD8+ T cells are the frontline warriors of our immune system that can eliminate infected or cancerous cells. However, diseases caused by overwhelming viral infections are associated with widespread impairments in immunity and cellular metabolism. Here, we propose to examine molecular pathways involved in cellular metabolism that could be utilized to improve therapies against viral infection and cancer.
Determining Immune Dynamics During Controlled Primary Infection In Humans
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$579,823.00
Summary
T cells are critical to human health being our second and last line against infectious disease and cancer. However, we know very little about how this hugely complex immune compartment operates during primary challenge with infectious disease. This project will use new technologies to resolve this immune compartment to high detail during the days, weeks and years following controlled infection in human volunteers.
Dendritic Cells Govern The Balance Between Immunity And Homeostasis To Inhaled Antigen
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$816,131.00
Summary
The development of better intranasal vaccines hinges on the improved understanding of how the immune response is initiated following vaccine delivery into the upper airways. In this project we will provide fundamental understanding of how immune responses to inhaled antigens are regulated; this considerable conceptual advance will lay the foundation for which new intranasally delivered immunotherapies will ultimately emerge.
HARNESSING T CELL QUALITY FOR PANDEMIC PREPAREDNESS
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$503,146.00
Summary
Developing highly effective vaccines is critical to rapidly combat global pandemics. To generate a protective antibody response against novel viruses, a vaccine must elicit a targeted B cell response supported by effective CD4 T cell help. We propose that existing CD4 T cell memory can be harnessed to rapidly and effectively support B cell responses to novel vaccine candidates. This work will contribute to pandemic preparedness strategies and improve the development pathway for new vaccines.
Developing Improved Therapies For Cytomegalovirus Infections By Overcoming Viral Strain Diversity.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,126,820.00
Summary
Cytomegalovirus infection is the most common cause of infection-related disease in newborns and is one of the most common complications in transplant patients. Current treatments are not always successful and are associated with significant side-effects. We have therefore developed world first systems that can be used to develop safer, more effective treatments for this life-threatening infection. Our findings are likely to be applicable to other difficult to manage viral infections.
Tolerising Antigen-specific Immunotherapy For Type 1 Diabetes
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,395,549.00
Summary
We have developed a new immunotherapy to treat the underlying causes of type 1 diabetes (T1D) while leaving the rest of the immune system intact. To use this in patients, we need better tests to know when immune therapy is working. We will develop new methods to design the therapy and tools to track the relevant immune cells in T1D that work in variable patient groups. The knowledge gained will speed the pace of development and increase the chance of success of immunotherapy in T1D.
Dendritic cells are essential components of our immune systems. They are located throughout our body and provide the first line of defence against invading microbes. Dendritic cells sense the invader and send out signals to recruit our immune cells to the site of infection. Our research aims to understand how our dendritic cell network is set up and how it functions to promote our immune health.
Defining The Genes That Dictate The Cellular Response To Tumour Protein TP53 Activation
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$784,896.00
Summary
The tumour suppressor TP53 prevents the growth of abnormal cells by activating processes such as cell death and irreversible growth arrest. A cell will undergo only one of these possible responses, but it is not known why some cells die and others only stop growing. We will use innovative methods to define the genes that dictate the cellular response to TP53 activation. This research has implications for cancer, as many therapeutics aim to permanently kill cancer cells by activating TP53.
Identifying The Correlates Of Protective Immunity Against Invasive Staphylococcus Aureus Infection
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$954,131.00
Summary
The bacteria Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) remains a major cause of human infections, and the rise of highly pathogenic, antibiotic-resistant strains is making treatment increasingly difficult. In this project we will examine the immune response to S.aureus to determine which parts of the immune system are involved in responding to the bacteria. This knowledge will lay the foundation for which new innovative S. aureus vaccines will ultimately emerge.