Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is a major chronic disease affecting over 100,000 Australians. Its treatment and complications impose a significant burden on affected individuals and their families and on the health system. T1D occurs when the immune system attacks insulin-producing cells in the islet cells of the pancreas. The team has developed ways to identify at-risk people, defined immune and genetic causes of T1D and is undertaking prevention trials and Australia's first islet transplant program. Th ....Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is a major chronic disease affecting over 100,000 Australians. Its treatment and complications impose a significant burden on affected individuals and their families and on the health system. T1D occurs when the immune system attacks insulin-producing cells in the islet cells of the pancreas. The team has developed ways to identify at-risk people, defined immune and genetic causes of T1D and is undertaking prevention trials and Australia's first islet transplant program. Their multidisciplinary research is taking us closer to the prevention and cure of T1D.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
The Translation Of Dendritic Cell Biology Into Clinical Practice
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$3,674,406.00
Summary
This Program combines world recognized expertise in the science of immunology and the blood system, with top Australian expertise in the practice of bone marrow transplantation and the treatment of hematological malignancies. Its vision is to study the biology of dendritic cells, which are the specialized white cells that initiate the immune response, and then, to apply this knowledge to the design and introduction of novel diagnostic and therapeutic immune strategies, to improve the survival of ....This Program combines world recognized expertise in the science of immunology and the blood system, with top Australian expertise in the practice of bone marrow transplantation and the treatment of hematological malignancies. Its vision is to study the biology of dendritic cells, which are the specialized white cells that initiate the immune response, and then, to apply this knowledge to the design and introduction of novel diagnostic and therapeutic immune strategies, to improve the survival of patients with leukaemia, lymphoma and multiple myeloma.Read moreRead less
Antigen Presentation, Recognition And The Immune Response
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$15,738,750.00
Summary
The early events in immunity require various molecular interactions. We will examine the structural and biophysical basis for some of these interactions, including those associated with transplant rejection and autoimmunity. We will explore the impact of variation in immune response genes on immune evasion and disease susceptibility. Our basic research will determine the mechanisms by which the immune system discriminates between different self and micro-organism associated determinants. We will ....The early events in immunity require various molecular interactions. We will examine the structural and biophysical basis for some of these interactions, including those associated with transplant rejection and autoimmunity. We will explore the impact of variation in immune response genes on immune evasion and disease susceptibility. Our basic research will determine the mechanisms by which the immune system discriminates between different self and micro-organism associated determinants. We will address the structural and biochemical basis for operation of an immune molecule called tapasin and unravel the basis for how some viruses escape the function of this molecule, thus allowing their immune evasion. We will also explore the use of modified small proteins called peptides in a humanized model of gluten hypersensitivity resembling that of Celiac disease. The molecular basis of the natural human immune system's capacity to recognise and reject grafts will be examined. This complements work aimed at improving the prediction of clinical graft rejection in transplantation. Dendritic cells play a central role in immunity, responsible for capturing material, whether from micro-organisms or self tissues, and presenting it to cells of the immune system. Our program will study the development and immunological function of the different dendritic cell subtypes. We will determine the relative contribution of each to the maintenance of immune tolerance and to the induction of immunity to several pathogens, including herpes simplex virus and malaria. Novel dendritic cell surface molecules that we have discovered will be tested for their ability to enhance the effectiveness of vaccines. Overall, this program utilises a broad array of immunological techniques designed to dissect the development and function of various immune system cell types and determine the structure-function relationships between important cell surface molecules involved in immunity.Read moreRead less
Immunological Therapies For Cancer, Chronic Infection And Autoimmunity
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$10,891,788.00
Summary
The team comprises five leading scientists with a history of successful investigation into the role of the immune system in cancers, chronic viral infections, and autoimmune diseases. There is a large unmet need for effective solutions with fewer side effects in these diseases which cause a high disease burden in our society. In this program, we particularly seek to develop novel vaccines for chronic infections and autoimmune diseases, and to improve the safety of bone marrow transplantation.
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
Molecular Mechanisms In The Regulation Of Allergy And Inflammation
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$4,977,215.00
Summary
To understand the fundamental cellular and molecular processes that underpin the development of allergic disorders, viral infections of the respiratory tract and chronic inflammatory diseases of the lung. There is particular interest in the role of immune cells, such T cells and granulocytes in these disorders, and in the processes that control their function. Understanding these processes will provide new insights into the immune system's role in health and disease, and help develop better ther ....To understand the fundamental cellular and molecular processes that underpin the development of allergic disorders, viral infections of the respiratory tract and chronic inflammatory diseases of the lung. There is particular interest in the role of immune cells, such T cells and granulocytes in these disorders, and in the processes that control their function. Understanding these processes will provide new insights into the immune system's role in health and disease, and help develop better therapies to treat inflammatory disorders.Read moreRead less