Interleukin Signalling In CD4+ T Cell Differentiation
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$663,919.00
Summary
Our bodies rely on the production of antibodies to fight infection. The cytokine IL-21 is produced by immune cells called T follicular helper (Tfh) cells that help B cells make antibodies. Tfh cells, in turn, are controlled by regulatory (Tfr) cells. Our findings demonstrate that IL-21 supports Tfh cells and limits Tfr cells, thus favoring antibody production and long term immunity. Using genomic and cellular approaches, the mechanism(s) underlying these observations will be explored.
The Structure And Composition Of The T-cell Receptor-CD3 Complex
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$434,644.00
Summary
Our research will provide a fundamental advance in our understanding of how foreign viruses and pathogens trigger the immune system. Gaining a greater understanding of these central events will facilitate the design of novel therapies to treat immune associated disorders such as transplant rejection, autoimmune disease and some cancers.
CD4+CD8β+ Double-positive T-cell Regulation Of CD8 T-cell Responses
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$430,983.00
Summary
T-cells are a type of white blood cell that play an essential role in the immune system. CD4+CD8+ Double-Positive (DP) T-cells are a rare and poorly defined T-cell subset associated with skin disease - however their function and subsequently their contribution to disease is not known. Our preliminary data suggest that these DP cells may regulate the function of other immune populations in the skin. This project aims to deliver key insights into DP cells and their role in skin disease.
Cytotoxic T Lymphocyte Synapse Formation And Serial Killing: When Breaking Up Is Hard To Do.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$626,688.00
Summary
Killer T cells are a specialised group of immune cells, which destroy cancerous and infected cells. When killer T cells find a target, they attach and secrete toxic molecules. It then detaches from the dying target, so that it may go on to kill other cells. If it doesn’t detach properly, it remains bound to the target cell and results in an improper immune response. This proposal will investigate how the killer cell detaches, which is essential for an efficient immune response.
Understanding And Modulating The Human Immune System
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$470,144.00
Summary
T cells are the sentinels of our immune system continually scanning our tissue for abnormalities and eliminating threats in many forms. They are our second and last line of defence against microorganisms and cancer. Unfortunately, T cells can also cause harm through accidental crossreactvity or overzealous function. My work is directed at understanding how T cells work and how they can be controlled using drugs and gene therapy. If we can ‘tune’ the power of this master immune lineage we can unl