Production Of Human Monoclonal Antibodies In Vitro
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$358,500.00
Summary
Antibodies are defence molecules that permeate our tissues. The diversity of antibodies in a healthy organism is vast, providing the potential to neutralise almost any biological molecule or pathogen with exquisite selectivity. We have invented a cell culture-based platform to generate and select human antibodies specific for any desired target. Unlike most antibodies currently used in laboratories, these antibodies will be usable as drugs as well as for detection of disease.
Structure And Function Of Receptors For IgG (FcgammaR)
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$772,315.00
Summary
We are investigating one of the most important receptor families of inflammatory white blood cells - so called Fc receptors. These are critically important in resistance to infection. Unfortunately they are also crucial in tissue destruction in autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis. We will determine how these receptors trigger inflammation and use this information for the development of new drugs to treat rheumatoid arthritis and lupus.
Structure And Function Of Receptors For IgG (FcgammaR)
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$905,280.00
Summary
This reasearch project is attempting to understand one of the most important mechanisms of resistance to infectious disease and one of the most important mechanisms of induction of destructive inflammation in autoimmune disease. These studies will define how blood proteins called antibodies, antibodies bind to the surface of white blood cells via proteins called Fc receptors that activate these white blood cells. Under normal circumstances this system provides resistance to infection but is invo ....This reasearch project is attempting to understand one of the most important mechanisms of resistance to infectious disease and one of the most important mechanisms of induction of destructive inflammation in autoimmune disease. These studies will define how blood proteins called antibodies, antibodies bind to the surface of white blood cells via proteins called Fc receptors that activate these white blood cells. Under normal circumstances this system provides resistance to infection but is involved in some of the most debilitating diseases, including allergies, bleeding disorders called thrombocytopoenias, inflammation of blood vessels, vasculitis, as well as aspects of rheumatoid arthritis. The successful conclusion of this project will result in knowledge that will enable the development of more effective and highly specific therapeutic approaches to the treatment of disease and a better understanding of the functioning of the immune system.Read moreRead less
Antibodies are made by B-cells and are essential for a functional immune system. B cells circulate in the body, and, when they encounter an invader, they mature into antibody-producing cells (ASC). A small proportion of the cells become “memory” cells with the potential to become ASC should the same infection occur in the future. This is the basis of vaccination. This program aims to understand how a B cell changes into an ASC. We aim eventually to be able to improve vaccines and understand dise ....Antibodies are made by B-cells and are essential for a functional immune system. B cells circulate in the body, and, when they encounter an invader, they mature into antibody-producing cells (ASC). A small proportion of the cells become “memory” cells with the potential to become ASC should the same infection occur in the future. This is the basis of vaccination. This program aims to understand how a B cell changes into an ASC. We aim eventually to be able to improve vaccines and understand diseases such as allergy, lupus, arthritis and leukaemia to develop novel therapies.Read moreRead less