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The human immune system comprises many different types of cells that can detect foreign molecules. My research will lead the way to understanding some of the most abundant, yet least well understood, cells within this system, collectively known as 'unconventional T cells'. This knowledge is essential to optimally and efficiently manipulate the immune system in health and disease.
Defining The Coordination Of Immune Responses To Pathogens
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$640,210.00
Summary
Understanding how immune responses are coordinated is critical for the design of new therapies and vaccines to target infectious diseases and cancers. This project will utilise advanced imaging combined with novel tools to dissect the complex interactions that occur between immune cells as they are activated and patrol the body to eliminate infectious pathogens.
Delineating Immune Circuits For Innate And Adaptive Immune Protection
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$876,005.00
Summary
The immune system provides the essential frame-work to protect us against infection, disease and to heal tissues after trauma. This is achieved by a complex but elegant network of different types of white blood cells. Understanding the molecular wiring of these cells will provides fundamental insights to how the body fights pathogen infections and cancer and lays the foundation to therapeutic approaches to vaccination and disease treatments.
My research is aiming to study how the immune system controls viral infections in transplant patients and use this information to bolster their immunity in a test tube, providing protection against a virus the patient is unable to fight after their transplant. We are also trying to develop new strategies to use patient's own blood cells which will be grown in the laboratory and returned to the patient, resulting in a full recovery.
Mapping The Molecular Blueprint For Immune Cell Differentitation
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$753,300.00
Summary
Killer T cells are white blood cells that are key for helping control virus infections and in the recognition and elimination of cells that have become cancerous. This proposal aims to identify novel molecular mechanisms that control the ability of killer T cells to mediate their antiviral and anti-cancer functions. This will provide molecular targets for possible clinical interventions designed to either promote immunity (vaccination) or limit damage caused by T cell responses that target self
I am an cellular immunologist determining the mechanisms by which immunity to foreign organisms is generated, how tolerance to self tissues is maintained, and how the immune system iscriminates between foreign organisms and self.
T cells play a pivotal role in the immune system by recognising viral peptides presented by "HLA" molecules on infected cells through the use of T cell receptors (TCRs). I will investigate the variables that influence T lymphocyte recognition of human herpesvirus infection, including variability in TCR, HLA, and viral genes. Understanding the impact of these variables on how we fight infections will aid in the development of new "intelligent" vaccines and immune-based therapies.
Defining The Cellular Interactions For Initiation And Maintenance Of Immunity To Intracellular Pathogens
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$863,413.00
Summary
This immune system provides our body’s defense against invading organisms like viruses, preventing disease and maintaining health. Immunity involves the interaction of several different cell types that together form arsenals tailored to combat each different infection. Professor Heath will investigate how cells of the immune system orchestrate effective immune responses to viral infections and malaria. He will use this understanding to design novel approaches to vaccination.
Understanding Immune Regulation During Parasitic Diseases.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$631,010.00
Summary
Chronic infectious diseases such as HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria and leishmaniasis are responsible for significant morbidity and mortality. They are all characterised by severe immune dysfunction. We will study a parasitic infection to identify important immune cell populations and molecules that promote chronic infectious disease. This knowledge will enable the development of better treatments and vaccines for range of infectious diseases that affect people in many parts of the world.
Control Of Pathogenic Antibody Responses In Humans
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$763,845.00
Summary
Deficient or inappropriate antibody responses are at the core of many autoimmune diseases, allergies, food intolerances, and often explain the failure of vaccination strategies. Specialised follicular T cells control the quality of antibodies produced by B cells. This fellowship will combine basic studies investigating B cell helper or regulatory follicular T cells in humans with genetic studies identifying the causes of autoantibody-driven diseases. The results will uncover targeted therapies.