Exploring The Contribution Of The Immunoproteasome To Immunodominance And T Cell Function
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$82,421.00
Summary
The immunoproteasome is a piece of cellular machinery which degrades proteins and has been shown to enhance the body's recognition and response to viruses and cancer cells. This immunoproteasome is made up of various subunits, but it has not yet been assessed how each of these subunits contribute to the overall response. By studying the individual subunits, we will have a better understanding in how to manipulate the immune system for anti-viral and anti-cancer vaccine design.
Understanding The Complexity Of Antigen Presentation
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$774,540.00
Summary
I have developed and established the use of mass spectrometry to identify and quantitate ligands of antigen presenting molecules to understand the breadth of immune responses in a variety of human disease states including autoimmunity, cancer, infection and allergy. By embedding the technology in disease focussed research programs I will define the molecular bases of these diseases and the important immunological targets that will provide new avenues for therapeutic development and vaccines.
The Molecular Basis Of HLA-linked Drug Hypersensivity Reactions
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$683,040.00
Summary
Adverse drug reactions are one of the leading causes of death in hospitalised patients. We have discovered a new mechanism that links these reactions to recognition of drug induced changes in immunological self, resulting from interactions of drugs with immune receptors. This project probes the generality of this mechanism by examining the basis of life threatening reactions to drugs used to treat epilepsy (carbamazepine), gout (allopurinol), HIV (Nevirapine) and towards aspirin a commonly used ....Adverse drug reactions are one of the leading causes of death in hospitalised patients. We have discovered a new mechanism that links these reactions to recognition of drug induced changes in immunological self, resulting from interactions of drugs with immune receptors. This project probes the generality of this mechanism by examining the basis of life threatening reactions to drugs used to treat epilepsy (carbamazepine), gout (allopurinol), HIV (Nevirapine) and towards aspirin a commonly used pharmaceutical.Read moreRead less
Investigation Of Small Molecule Interactions With The Human Leukocyte Antigen And Their Role In Non-infectious Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$316,449.00
Summary
The Human Leukocyte Antigens (HLA) play a key role in the immune system helping the body differentiate healthy from diseased cells. Numerous autoimmune diseases and adverse drug reactions are associated with specific HLA variants. This study seeks to unlock the mechanisms behind these diseases, investigating how small molecules including drugs interact with the HLA to make healthy body cells seem foreign. This research has the potential to inform strategies for disease avoidance and management.
Unraveling The Link Between HLA B27 And Autoimmunity
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$746,102.00
Summary
Ankylosing spondylitis and related diseases cause significant morbidity in up to 0.25% of the population. Current treatments have limited efficacy and often debilitating side effects. More targeted peptide antigen based therapies will have fewer side effects and would be of major clinical importance to this group of diseases. This project seeks to identify peptide antigens that could be used in targeted immunotherapy. We also seek to understand how some of the idiosyncratic properties of HLA B27