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Melanoma is a devastating disease. We are investigating new ways to treat and cure this form of cancer. Specifically, we are identifying how the body’s immune system interacts with melanoma and exploring new ways to use one’s own immune cells to destroy the cancer. This is achieved by understanding the interplay between various immune cells during melanoma and current therapies. This knowledge allows us to manipulate the immune cells providing better treatment.
Understanding The Mechanisms Of Action Of The ISCOMATRIX Adjuvant For The Development Of Human Vaccines
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$401,361.00
Summary
CSL Limited, an Australian owned global biopharmaceutical company, is developing the ISCOMATRIX (IMX) adjuvant for vaccines to prevent and treat serious human disease of global concern (e.g. cancer, pandemic flu, HPV, HCV). This study will identify the mechanisms of action of IMX in generating strong cellular immunity, how to enhance it further by combining with other immuno-modulators so as to develop novel IMX vaccines for the treatment of established cancer and persistent viral infections.
Investigating CD4+ T Helper Cell Differentiation During Blood-stage Plasmodium Infection
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$408,388.00
Summary
Some infections tend to afflict us only once, e.g. chickenpox, because our bodies develop immunity to these microbes relatively easily. In contrast, it takes many infections to develop immunity to the malaria parasite, because our immune systems seem to respond inefficiently to it. My work will improve our understanding of how the immune system is poorly activated during malaria, and may provide new ideas for boosting the immune system in response to malaria or indeed other infections.
Human Dendritic Cell Subsets And Their Application For Immunotherapy
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$443,946.00
Summary
Immunotherapy is a promising non-toxic strategy for the treatment of many cancers, viruses and other diseases. It works by teaching the patient's own immune system to recognize and destroy the cancer. Specialized blood cells called dendritic cells are essential to this process but they are poorly understood in humans. I aim to investigate the function these cells and use this information to develop new treatments for cancer and viruses.
Dendritic Cells In Innate Immunity And Their Potential Clinical Manipulation
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$443,946.00
Summary
Dendritic cells (DC) are rare cells that are crucial in response to infection and surveillance of damaged tissues. We aim to understand the tools that are expressed by DC that allow them to sense pathogens and the functions of different DC types once a pathogen has been detected. The ultimate aim is to be able to understand and harness the functions of different DC so that we may directly target them upon demand to aid in the course of infection or potentially as tumour therapy.
The Role Of CD1-restricted T Cells In Health And Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$431,000.00
Summary
The human immune system requires T cells for survival. Specialised populations of T cells exist that patrol the body and target unwanted lipid molecules expressed by bacteria or by cells that have become abnormal or cancerous. I will identify these T cells in human blood and skin and determine their role in protection against disease. I will explore the types of lipids molecules recognised by these T cells and use this information to help prevent human diseases.
Control Of Organ Size During Development And Disease By The Salvadore-Warts-Hippo Pathway
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$331,674.00
Summary
Cancer is a disease that results from the generation of too many cells. Many signalling pathways control cell number including the newly identified Salvador-Warts-Hippo pathway. We are studying the mechanisms by which activity of this pathway is controlled, using the vinegar fly as a model. Information obtained from our study will aid understanding of human cancer as cellular processes which go awry in cancer, such as cell proliferation and death, are highly conserved between flies and humans.