The Role Of Non-classical MHC Class I Molecules In Adaptive Immunity
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$443,834.00
Summary
Specialised proteins called MHC class Ia molecules (MHC-Ia) stimulate killer T cells to lyse virus infected cells. In contrast, the function of the closely related MHC-Ib is uncertain. Recent findings have demonstrated that MHC-Ib can also be recognised by T cells and this interaction is important in the control of viral infections. However, despite the similarity to MHC-Ia, it is unclear how this interaction occurs. This project aims to investigate how killer T cells recognise MHC-Ib molecules.
Methylation Sensitive Genes And The Transition To Allergic Disease: A Twin Study
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$493,843.00
Summary
Australia has amongst the highest reported prevalence allergic conditions (including asthma) in the world. Despite this, little is known about how these conditions arise. Mounting evidence implicates environmentally induced disruption of the genetic blueprint via a process known as epigenetics. We are combining the strengths of a unique collection of identical twins where one of a pair is sensitive to house dust mite, with cutting edge genomics, to characterise the pathways leading to allergy in ....Australia has amongst the highest reported prevalence allergic conditions (including asthma) in the world. Despite this, little is known about how these conditions arise. Mounting evidence implicates environmentally induced disruption of the genetic blueprint via a process known as epigenetics. We are combining the strengths of a unique collection of identical twins where one of a pair is sensitive to house dust mite, with cutting edge genomics, to characterise the pathways leading to allergy in children.Read moreRead less
Dendritic cells are essential components of our immune systems. They are located throughout our body and provide the first line of defence against invading microbes. Dendritic cells sense the invader and send out signals to recruit our immune cells to the site of infection. Our research aims to understand how our dendritic cell network is set up and how it functions to promote our immune health.
Antigen-presenting cells control immune responses. Different types of these cells do different jobs and affect different diseases. We wish to control these processes by determining how the cells live and die. In particular we are interested in controlling the local immune responses during rejection of islet transplantation, which can cure type 1 diabetes.
Functional Suicide Of Selected Dendritic Cells By Cytochrome C: An In Vivo Model Lacking Cross-presentation
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$597,476.00
Summary
Certain white blood cells (dendritic cells) activate the immune system, especially its T cells. Infection of such cells elicits killer T cell responses. However not all infections infect dendritic cells. In such cases, the infectious material is eaten by dendritic cells and moved to certain areas within the cell. This process is called cross-presentation and how important it is during various diseases remains moot. We now have a model of testing this by eliminating these cross-presenting cells.
Reducing environmental footprint by improving phosphorous use efficiency. While modern agriculture relies heavily on the use of phosphorous fertilizers, most of them are not used by plants and lost in runoff, resulting in a massive environmental damage through contamination of waterways (termed eutrophication). This project takes advantage of an untapped resource - a unique collection of Tibetan wild barley genotypes, to reveal key traits that confer superior phosphorus use efficiency in wild ba ....Reducing environmental footprint by improving phosphorous use efficiency. While modern agriculture relies heavily on the use of phosphorous fertilizers, most of them are not used by plants and lost in runoff, resulting in a massive environmental damage through contamination of waterways (termed eutrophication). This project takes advantage of an untapped resource - a unique collection of Tibetan wild barley genotypes, to reveal key traits that confer superior phosphorus use efficiency in wild barley and identify appropriate candidate genes and their position on chromosomes for further incorporating these traits into commercial barley cultivars. This will reduce the environmental footprint of modern agricultural practices on terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems without compromising food security.Read moreRead less
A novel reversible male sterility system for hybrid seed production in canola, cotton and oilseed mustard. Demand for grains, fibre and other agricultural products has recently increased significantly. Hence, the security of food production is emerging as a critical global issue. We have identified a central component (AtMYB103) controlling tapetum and thus pollen development and designed a novel reversible male sterility system using AtMYB103. The efficient hybrid seed production systems develo ....A novel reversible male sterility system for hybrid seed production in canola, cotton and oilseed mustard. Demand for grains, fibre and other agricultural products has recently increased significantly. Hence, the security of food production is emerging as a critical global issue. We have identified a central component (AtMYB103) controlling tapetum and thus pollen development and designed a novel reversible male sterility system using AtMYB103. The efficient hybrid seed production systems developed in this project for canola, cotton and mustard will increase the productivity of the Australian oilseed and fibre industries. AtMYB103 gene is conserved among many crop plants. Hence, the new technologies and knowledge gained will be applicable to a wide range of crop plants and have important implications for the agricultural and food industries.Read moreRead less