I am an immunologist investigating the interactions between the liver and the immune system in order to understand the tolerogenic property of this organ.
Cellular And Molecular Events During Antigen Dependent B Cell Differentiation
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$283,329.00
Summary
The immune system is essential for protecting us against invasion from without by viruses and bacteria and invasion from within by cancer cells. Among the white blood cells making up this system are those responsible for producing antibodies. To ensure that all possible infections and tumours can be recognised, the body needs to manufacture a very large number of these cells on a continuous basis. The aim of this project is to work out the mechanism responsible for controlling their production a ....The immune system is essential for protecting us against invasion from without by viruses and bacteria and invasion from within by cancer cells. Among the white blood cells making up this system are those responsible for producing antibodies. To ensure that all possible infections and tumours can be recognised, the body needs to manufacture a very large number of these cells on a continuous basis. The aim of this project is to work out the mechanism responsible for controlling their production and function using a novel experimental system. By pinpointing the different stages involved in antibody production in the normal host we should be in a better position to make longer lasting vaccines in the future and to understand what goes wrong with these white cells in disease. In particular, the results should shed light on the chronic form of leukaemia called myeloma and some of the autoimmune disorders like the rheumatic diseases which occur when the antibodies being produced attack our own tissues.Read moreRead less
The Function Of Transcription Factor SCL In T Cell Development.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$504,750.00
Summary
SCL is a gene which is abnormally expressed in a large percentage of human T cell leukaemias. Mouse models that increase SCL levels have demonstrated that T cell maturation is abnormally affected by SCL. Thus, providing a clue as to how T cell leukemias arise. By utilising recombinant DNA technology we are now able to control SCL levels in T cell maturation. We can either increase the level of SCL using pharmacological reagents or we can genetically remove SCL from maturing T cells. This double- ....SCL is a gene which is abnormally expressed in a large percentage of human T cell leukaemias. Mouse models that increase SCL levels have demonstrated that T cell maturation is abnormally affected by SCL. Thus, providing a clue as to how T cell leukemias arise. By utilising recombinant DNA technology we are now able to control SCL levels in T cell maturation. We can either increase the level of SCL using pharmacological reagents or we can genetically remove SCL from maturing T cells. This double-edged approach will allow us to monitor the effects of SCL on maturing T cells with a precision that has never previously been achieved. Results from this approach will provide new insights into how T cell leukaemia develops and provide the foundation for new rational based treatments.Read moreRead less