A cellular hub for the organisation of T cell priming. This project aims to delineate the cellular interactions involved in the initiation of immune responses by utilising advanced in vivo imaging. Adaptive immunity in vertebrates functions via the acquisition of signals by immune cells via complex interactions with other immune cells, yet these exchanges are difficult to observe and define. This project expects to provide insights into the mechanisms that underpin effective cell-mediated immune ....A cellular hub for the organisation of T cell priming. This project aims to delineate the cellular interactions involved in the initiation of immune responses by utilising advanced in vivo imaging. Adaptive immunity in vertebrates functions via the acquisition of signals by immune cells via complex interactions with other immune cells, yet these exchanges are difficult to observe and define. This project expects to provide insights into the mechanisms that underpin effective cell-mediated immune responses. The expected outcomes are to generate fundamental new knowledge about immune responses and enhance capacity to study the immune system. This could benefit future development of new vaccines and therapies to improve health.Read moreRead less
Defining the immunological roles of stromal cells within lymphoid tissues. The populations of endothelial and mesenchymal cells that construct the lymphoid tissues are being revealed as key players in the priming and orchestration of immune responses. Yet, fundamental knowledge of the molecular makeup and the functions of these stromal cells, particularly their roles in immune responses, is sorely lacking. This project will utilise a multidisciplinary approach including advanced imaging and bioi ....Defining the immunological roles of stromal cells within lymphoid tissues. The populations of endothelial and mesenchymal cells that construct the lymphoid tissues are being revealed as key players in the priming and orchestration of immune responses. Yet, fundamental knowledge of the molecular makeup and the functions of these stromal cells, particularly their roles in immune responses, is sorely lacking. This project will utilise a multidisciplinary approach including advanced imaging and bioinformatics to dissect the functions of the lymphoid stromal cells and their roles in the swelling of lymphoid tissues during immune responses. This will provide vital information about the biology of these understudied cells and reveal the ways in which they support the generation of immunity.Read moreRead less
RNA-binding proteins rewire transcriptomes in immune cell differentiation. This project aims to combine advanced computational and experimental techniques to investigate a new layer of gene regulation by novel RNA binding proteins (RBP) which control messenger RNA length in immune cells. This project expects to demonstrate that these RBPs have a profound effect on immune cell differentiation and response to infection. Expected outcomes include the discovery of new RBPs regulating immunity, with ....RNA-binding proteins rewire transcriptomes in immune cell differentiation. This project aims to combine advanced computational and experimental techniques to investigate a new layer of gene regulation by novel RNA binding proteins (RBP) which control messenger RNA length in immune cells. This project expects to demonstrate that these RBPs have a profound effect on immune cell differentiation and response to infection. Expected outcomes include the discovery of new RBPs regulating immunity, with mechanism and function determined by novel CRISPR editing of a transgenic mouse model. The significant benefit will be a more complete understanding of RNA mechanisms of immune response, which will be critical in informing future advances in the rapidly developing areas of RNA-based biotechnologies and synthetic immunology.Read moreRead less