This research deals with the interaction between the reproductive system and the immune system, providing a unique perspective on two biological systems that are normally considered separately. This research may help to improve the treatment of infertility, reproductive tract infections and testicular cancer, but may also lead to new treatments for inflammatory diseases that hospitalise or kill many thousands of patients each year, and for preventing graft failure in transplant recipients.
The development of protective immunity is essential to fight infection. This depends on a small number of master regulatory transcription factors that drive the differentiation of precursor cells into mature immune cells such as NK, T and dendritic cells. This proposal will provide a fundamental advance in our understanding of immune cells and impact strategies aimed at the prevention and treatment of pathogen infections.
Dissecting The Role Of NOD-like Receptors (NLRs) In Helicobacter Pylori Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$638,517.00
Summary
Half of the world's 6.5 billion people harbour the bacterium Helicobacter pylori in their stomachs. Approximately 1% of these infections develop into gastric cancer, representing the second leading cause of cancer-related death world-wide. This research project will investigate the role of a family of host defence proteins as mediators of inflammatory and cell survival responses which contribute to the development of gastric cancer disease.