This application seeks information on the factors controlling T cell survival, tolerance and responsiveness to foreign antigens and tumour antigens. Particular attention will be directed to determining how T cells are kept alive through contact with self ligands and cytokines while preserving self tolerance and how anti-tumour responses can improved without augmenting the function of T regulatory cells.
Transcriptional And Metabolic Regulation Of Effector And Memory Lymphocyte Differentiation
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$707,370.00
Summary
I am an internationally recognized expert in the field of lymphocyte biology. My work has shed light on antibody production, T cell responses and immune pathology. Specifically, I have identified molecular regulators that link antigen recognition, lymphocyte population expansion, cellular metabolism and effector function. My ongoing work focusses on the development and function of several critically important cell types, including tissue resident lymphocytes and regulatory T cells.
Defining The Coordination Of Immune Responses To Pathogens
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$640,210.00
Summary
Understanding how immune responses are coordinated is critical for the design of new therapies and vaccines to target infectious diseases and cancers. This project will utilise advanced imaging combined with novel tools to dissect the complex interactions that occur between immune cells as they are activated and patrol the body to eliminate infectious pathogens.
Defining The Cellular Interactions For Initiation And Maintenance Of Immunity To Intracellular Pathogens
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$863,413.00
Summary
This immune system provides our body’s defense against invading organisms like viruses, preventing disease and maintaining health. Immunity involves the interaction of several different cell types that together form arsenals tailored to combat each different infection. Professor Heath will investigate how cells of the immune system orchestrate effective immune responses to viral infections and malaria. He will use this understanding to design novel approaches to vaccination.
Defining The Requirements For Effective Immune Responses
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$714,745.00
Summary
The immune system rapidly responds to infectious pathogens to eradicate such microbes and limit the damage they can inflict upon the host. Individuals with primary immunodeficiencies have defects in the development and/or function of the cells of their immune system and are more susceptible to infectious diseases. This study will investigate such individuals to identify functions for specific genes and immune cells in order to understand the requirements for generating effective immune responses ....The immune system rapidly responds to infectious pathogens to eradicate such microbes and limit the damage they can inflict upon the host. Individuals with primary immunodeficiencies have defects in the development and/or function of the cells of their immune system and are more susceptible to infectious diseases. This study will investigate such individuals to identify functions for specific genes and immune cells in order to understand the requirements for generating effective immune responses.Read moreRead less
Mapping The Molecular Blueprint For Immune Cell Differentitation
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$753,300.00
Summary
Killer T cells are white blood cells that are key for helping control virus infections and in the recognition and elimination of cells that have become cancerous. This proposal aims to identify novel molecular mechanisms that control the ability of killer T cells to mediate their antiviral and anti-cancer functions. This will provide molecular targets for possible clinical interventions designed to either promote immunity (vaccination) or limit damage caused by T cell responses that target self
The cell types of the blood, such as red and white blood cells, are produced in the bone marrow from a rare stem cell. The stem cell uses a handful of important master-regulatory genes that act in a hierarchy to promote the blood cell differentiation process. This research aims to understand how these master-regulators function in isolation and together in producing the white blood cells that are required for our immune response to microbes, vaccination and to prevent cancer.
Understanding Leukocyte Function In Inflammatory Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$707,370.00
Summary
In inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, asthma and lupus, white blood cells accumulate in organs and cause injury. The focus of this project is to understand how white blood cells leave the bloodstream and enter tissues. In particular, this project examines their contribution to inflammatory diseases of the kidney. By understanding this process in greater detail, we may be able to design more specific therapies to combat these conditions.
Immunological Diseases: Understanding Their Cause And Improving Their Treatment By Human Genome Sequencing
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$788,486.00
Summary
Prof Goodnow will develop a collaborative consortium of specialist physicians, laboratory researchers and bioinformaticians. This team will apply the new tools of large scale DNA sequencing to reveal the root cause of immune system diseases including: autoimmune diseases, congenital immune deficiency diseases, allergic disorders, and cancer. It aims to accelerate, simplify and unify the diagnosis of these diseases, and guide targeted, earlier and more effective treatment.
Utilization Of Gene-engineered T Cells For Enhancing Cancer Immunotherapy
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$761,656.00
Summary
Killer T lymphocytes can penetrate tumours and their transfer into cancer patients has demonstrated some encouraging results, but this form of therapy and other approaches including vaccination remain ineffective in most cancer patients. In this project, we propose to improve the tumour trafficking and anti-tumour activities of killer cells by genetically engineering them with proteins that will enable them to recognise and destroy cancer cells, whilst minimizing toxicity to normal tissue.