CD4 T cell programming by neonatal and early-life infection. T lymphocytes (T cells) are white blood cells that play a critical role in protecting the body from infection. Before T cells can function they need to be programmed so that they can specifically respond to an infectious agent (a type of bacteria or virus). Inappropriate programming can lead to disease. Whether T cells respond to an infectious agent or foreign substance in a protective or destructive manner may critically depend on the ....CD4 T cell programming by neonatal and early-life infection. T lymphocytes (T cells) are white blood cells that play a critical role in protecting the body from infection. Before T cells can function they need to be programmed so that they can specifically respond to an infectious agent (a type of bacteria or virus). Inappropriate programming can lead to disease. Whether T cells respond to an infectious agent or foreign substance in a protective or destructive manner may critically depend on the age that an individual first encounters the infection. Our project will identify critical periods in life that direct T cell programming to subsequent protective or destructive responses, providing new insights into the developing immune system that may be exploited to treat disease or develop vaccines.Read moreRead less
Foreign DNA is a danger signal for mammalian cells. This project investigates how cells normally respond to foreign DNA, and is relevant to understanding how the body fights infections, particularly by viruses. The results will help us to design more effective treatments for infectious disease. Studying responses to DNA will also promote the design of new treatments for the autoimmune disease lupus, and help improve technologies or treatments where DNA is introduced into cells or tissues. This ....Foreign DNA is a danger signal for mammalian cells. This project investigates how cells normally respond to foreign DNA, and is relevant to understanding how the body fights infections, particularly by viruses. The results will help us to design more effective treatments for infectious disease. Studying responses to DNA will also promote the design of new treatments for the autoimmune disease lupus, and help improve technologies or treatments where DNA is introduced into cells or tissues. This includes gene therapy, new strategies for vaccination, and the production of proteins as drugs by biotechnology. The project will promote National Research Priorities in the areas of preventative healthcare, ageing well ageing productively, breakthrough science and new technologies.Read moreRead less
An investigation into Infection, Immunity & Rational Drug Design. The human population is constantly under threat of microbial attack. The survival of our species reflects a delicate balance between infection and immunity. Whether an individual mounts an effective immune response or succumbs to microbial infection is critically dependent on host proteins interacting effectively with microbial antigens, versus microbes developing sophisticated strategies of invasion and immune evasion. This pr ....An investigation into Infection, Immunity & Rational Drug Design. The human population is constantly under threat of microbial attack. The survival of our species reflects a delicate balance between infection and immunity. Whether an individual mounts an effective immune response or succumbs to microbial infection is critically dependent on host proteins interacting effectively with microbial antigens, versus microbes developing sophisticated strategies of invasion and immune evasion. This proposal will provide fundamental advancement of knowledge in the areas of infection and immunity. The information gleaned from this research will lead to the rational development of therapeutics. Consequently, the research will potentially have an enormous global impact in the area of biomedical health.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE120101701
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$375,000.00
Summary
A porcine model to provide new insights on scabies immunopathology. Scabies is a poorly understood parasitic disease of medical and veterinary significance. This project will use a world-first experimental model to investigate the progression of host immune responses in scabies, which will enable the development of new control strategies for this neglected disease.
Body fluids: sweet protection against infection? Serious health problems caused by pathogenic microorganisms are in sharp increase due to aging population, escalating numbers of immunocompromised people and the increased resistance of microorganisms to currently available antibiotics. Our research will lead to development of new approaches to protect people and animals from pathogens before they invade the body. The commercial possibilities for new and natural antimicrobials are present from bot ....Body fluids: sweet protection against infection? Serious health problems caused by pathogenic microorganisms are in sharp increase due to aging population, escalating numbers of immunocompromised people and the increased resistance of microorganisms to currently available antibiotics. Our research will lead to development of new approaches to protect people and animals from pathogens before they invade the body. The commercial possibilities for new and natural antimicrobials are present from both the health and agricultural sectors in Australia and abroad. The technologies used and further developed will serve as a state-of-the-art training ground for the next generation of postgraduate students encompassing the integration of genomics, proteomics and glycomics technologies.Read moreRead less
In vivo imaging of the immune system in self tolerance and infectious disease. This proposal will introduce sophisticated imaging technology into our cutting-edge research program. Our approach will permit high resolution imaging of the immune response within an intact animal; currently not possible in Australia at the present time. The unique combination of technology and biological resources will significantly advance knowledge in key areas of basic immunology research. It will provide local ....In vivo imaging of the immune system in self tolerance and infectious disease. This proposal will introduce sophisticated imaging technology into our cutting-edge research program. Our approach will permit high resolution imaging of the immune response within an intact animal; currently not possible in Australia at the present time. The unique combination of technology and biological resources will significantly advance knowledge in key areas of basic immunology research. It will provide local researchers insights into how the body responds to infectious disease and immune-related disorders and be directly applicable to vaccine design. The facility and related research program will undoubtedly attract a team of top-level national and international scientists and students keen to work with this advanced technology.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE120100020
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$520,000.00
Summary
Collaborative high bio-containment immunological research facility. Emerging infectious diseases are a serious threat to animals and humans, with most new human infections originating in animals. Our capacity to study these infections and their effects on the immune system is limited. This Facility will provide core equipment for analysis of immune responses to infection at the highest levels of bio-containment.
Evolution of immunoregulatory networks: preventing autoimmunity at the expense of perpetuating chronicity in persistent infections. Chronic pathogens like HIV take advantage of human genes that regulate immune responses, which evolved to prevent autoimmunity, enabling them to evade eradication. This project defines the nature and interplays between these genes and will provide valuable clues as to how immunity can be manipulated to promote clearance of persistent infections.
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE110100172
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$330,000.00
Summary
Comprehensive cell imaging facility. This facility will provide Australian biological science researchers with equipment for in-depth analyses of cell function in vitro and in vivo. It will enable innovative research targeted at important questions in fields including cancer, immunology, stem cell biology, infectious disease and tissue regeneration.
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE120100091
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$250,000.00
Summary
A five laser multichannel flow cytometry cell sorter for the University of New South Wales as part of an advanced flow cytometry network. Flow cytometry is a technique for counting and examining microscopic particles, such as cells and chromosomes, by suspending them in a stream of fluid and passing them by an electronic detection apparatus. This project will establish such advanced cell sorting instrumentation at the University of New South Wales, providing this capability to a wide range of re ....A five laser multichannel flow cytometry cell sorter for the University of New South Wales as part of an advanced flow cytometry network. Flow cytometry is a technique for counting and examining microscopic particles, such as cells and chromosomes, by suspending them in a stream of fluid and passing them by an electronic detection apparatus. This project will establish such advanced cell sorting instrumentation at the University of New South Wales, providing this capability to a wide range of researchers in diverse fields. The project will also provide a basis for establishing a flow cytometry network with partner institutes University of Sydney and the University of Technology, Sydney.Read moreRead less