Investigating B Cell Development, Maintenance And High-affinity Antibody Production By ENU Mutagenesis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$408,388.00
Summary
B cells are essential for the protection against infections. This application aims to identify new genes that are crucial for the development or function of B cells and will investigate how mutations in newly discovered genes contribute to defects in the development and function of B cells and the pathogenesis of B cell leukaemia.
Role Of Integrin Signalling In Breast And Prostate Cancer
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$411,931.00
Summary
Integrins have an essential role in the control of mammary gland development and cell function. During tumour progression, integrins enable cancer cells to detach, proliferate, migrate and survive during metastasis. To test whether integrins regulate breast and prostate tumour progression, mice with mammary or prostate specific integrin deletion will be crossed with mice engineered to develop cancer. The effects of integrin loss on tumour growth and metastasis will be determined.
In Vivo Imaging Of Protective And Malignant B Cell Function
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$431,412.00
Summary
B cells are responsible for producing antibody that protects us from infection. Disruption of healthy B cell function can lead to a myriad of diseases including immunodeficiency, autoimmunity and blood cancers such as leukaemia. The aim of my work is to use powerful microscopy to visualise how mutated B cells interact with their surrounding environment in real-time. These studies will allow the development of new treatments for cancer and immune conditions that target these interactions.
Chronic infectious diseases have a devastating effect on global health. HIV and Plasmodium falciparum both cause chronic disease and have evaded effective vaccine design. Vaccines rely on immune memory – the ability to clear an infection rapidly to a previously encountered pathogen. This proposal investigates the formation and dysfunction of immune memory in chronic infectious diseases, which will be vital for creating new and effective vaccines.