Mechanisms Of B Cell Immunodominance To Influenza Virus
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$617,611.00
Summary
Current influenza vaccines elicit poor protection against viruses undergoing rapid change or emerging from animal reservoirs. We will define the basis for why highly conserved sites of virus vulnerability, such as the hemagglutinin "stem" domain, are poorly targeted by current vaccines and will assess novel hemagglutinin stem-based vaccines in macaque models of human influenza. Our results will guide the rational design of next-generation vaccines for influenza.
This project will assess new ways to protect against HIV infection and treat HIV infection using potent antibody therapies. This will help us understand how the immune system can control HIV. We will generate antibody fragments that can be produced relatively cheaply that, if successful, could lead to a viable antibody therapy for HIV.
Leptin As A Natural Regulator Of TFH Cell Differentiation And Vaccination Response
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$594,901.00
Summary
Follicular helper T (Tfh) cells constitute a CD4+ T cell subset that plays an instrumental role to support protective antibody responses in infection and vaccination. Although malnutrition is associated with poor vaccine responses and increased risks of infections, the mechanism is poorly understood. We will investigate the mechanism by which leptin, a hormone secreted by adipose cells, regulates Tfh cell function and vaccination response.
How Do Cross-reactive Memory B Cells Affect Influenza Vaccine Titers?
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$798,049.00
Summary
Influenza vaccines are updated frequently to protect against the highly variable influenza virus. Despite careful selection of vaccine viruses, most influenza vaccines provide only modest protection and protection is poor some years. In turn, the response to vaccination varies between individuals. This probably reflects complex and variable histories of influenza infection and vaccination. The project investigates how past influenza exposure influences vaccine responses and effectiveness.
Sytemic And Mucosal Functional Antibodies In Protection Against HIV
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$559,501.00
Summary
Only one human HIV vaccine has shown any level of protective efficacy. However the mechanisms behind how this vaccine was protective are still not fully understood. Additionally, HIV is primarily transmitted through mucosal sites, however very little is know about vaccine immune responses at these sites. Thus this proposal aims to further define the mechanisms of antibody protection against HIV at both systemic and mucosal locations, in order to guide future HIV vaccine design efforts.
Importance Of Functional Antibodies Against Infectious Diseases
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$431,000.00
Summary
Antibodies are highly functional proteins capable of recognizing infectious disease pathogens and instructing surrounding immune cells to attack them. This project aims to identify specific antibody targets on HIV and Mycobacterium Tuberculosis associated with protection/control of disease and to understand the mechanisms behind the most functional antibodies. Ultimately, these studies will guide the development of future vaccines and therapies against these deadly pathogens.
Innate Immune Effector Recruiting Potential Of HIV-1 Human Vaccine Induced Antibodies
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$333,018.00
Summary
A HIV vaccine is urgently needed. A recent human HIV vaccine trial has indicated that Antibody Dependent Cellular Cyotoxicity (ADCC) may be protective. Understanding the role of ADCC HIV-specific antibodies in the context of vaccination has now become one of the most critical questions in HIV vaccine research today. This research aims to comprehensively study ADCC in samples from various HIV Vaccine trials to develop improved vaccine strategies to prevent the devastating consequences of HIV/AIDS ....A HIV vaccine is urgently needed. A recent human HIV vaccine trial has indicated that Antibody Dependent Cellular Cyotoxicity (ADCC) may be protective. Understanding the role of ADCC HIV-specific antibodies in the context of vaccination has now become one of the most critical questions in HIV vaccine research today. This research aims to comprehensively study ADCC in samples from various HIV Vaccine trials to develop improved vaccine strategies to prevent the devastating consequences of HIV/AIDS.Read moreRead less