Investigating B Cell Development, Maintenance And High-affinity Antibody Production By ENU Mutagenesis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$408,388.00
Summary
B cells are essential for the protection against infections. This application aims to identify new genes that are crucial for the development or function of B cells and will investigate how mutations in newly discovered genes contribute to defects in the development and function of B cells and the pathogenesis of B cell leukaemia.
In Vivo Imaging Of Protective And Malignant B Cell Function
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$431,412.00
Summary
B cells are responsible for producing antibody that protects us from infection. Disruption of healthy B cell function can lead to a myriad of diseases including immunodeficiency, autoimmunity and blood cancers such as leukaemia. The aim of my work is to use powerful microscopy to visualise how mutated B cells interact with their surrounding environment in real-time. These studies will allow the development of new treatments for cancer and immune conditions that target these interactions.
Chronic infectious diseases have a devastating effect on global health. HIV and Plasmodium falciparum both cause chronic disease and have evaded effective vaccine design. Vaccines rely on immune memory – the ability to clear an infection rapidly to a previously encountered pathogen. This proposal investigates the formation and dysfunction of immune memory in chronic infectious diseases, which will be vital for creating new and effective vaccines.
Dynamic In Vivo Imaging Of Molecular And Cellular Events Shaping The Immune Response In Mouse Models And Human Diseases
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$401,361.00
Summary
We plan to develop the instruments and associated technologies required to directly visualise biological processes as the occur in real-time deep inside living organisms. Thus we will use two-photon microscopy to provide deep tissue imaging of immune cell interactions in mouse models and confocal endomicroscopy to provide molecular imaging of cancer biomarkers in patients with colorectal cancer.
Studies On The Pathogenesis And Treatment Outcomes Of Chronic Viral Hepatitis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$415,218.00
Summary
The global impact of hepatitis B and hepatitis C has recently been recognized by the World Health Organization. The Fellowship will support a research program that will use new technologies to answer a number of important questions concerning the pathogenesis of viral hepatitis B and C, interferon treatment response for HCV, and antiviral drug resistance. The outcomes of the research will be timely, clinically relevant, and of great interest to the international community. The ultimate goal is t ....The global impact of hepatitis B and hepatitis C has recently been recognized by the World Health Organization. The Fellowship will support a research program that will use new technologies to answer a number of important questions concerning the pathogenesis of viral hepatitis B and C, interferon treatment response for HCV, and antiviral drug resistance. The outcomes of the research will be timely, clinically relevant, and of great interest to the international community. The ultimate goal is to improve clinical outcomes for patients.Read moreRead less
Clinical And Genomic Aspects Of Staphylococcus Aureus And Other Infectious Diseases In Northern Australia.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$421,747.00
Summary
The burden of infectious disease is high in Indigenous populations in northern Australia and patterns of disease differ. My research proposes to deepen our understanding of infectious diseases such as that due to Staphylococcus aureus (golden staph), hepatitis B and influenza by applying cutting-edge technologies (e.g., bacterial genomics) to answer clinically relevant questions. Ultimately I hope to prevent transmission of infections, improve vaccine strategies and find better targets for treat ....The burden of infectious disease is high in Indigenous populations in northern Australia and patterns of disease differ. My research proposes to deepen our understanding of infectious diseases such as that due to Staphylococcus aureus (golden staph), hepatitis B and influenza by applying cutting-edge technologies (e.g., bacterial genomics) to answer clinically relevant questions. Ultimately I hope to prevent transmission of infections, improve vaccine strategies and find better targets for treatment.Read moreRead less
The Role Of CD1-restricted T Cells In Health And Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$431,000.00
Summary
The human immune system requires T cells for survival. Specialised populations of T cells exist that patrol the body and target unwanted lipid molecules expressed by bacteria or by cells that have become abnormal or cancerous. I will identify these T cells in human blood and skin and determine their role in protection against disease. I will explore the types of lipids molecules recognised by these T cells and use this information to help prevent human diseases.
Control Of Organ Size During Development And Disease By The Salvadore-Warts-Hippo Pathway
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$331,674.00
Summary
Cancer is a disease that results from the generation of too many cells. Many signalling pathways control cell number including the newly identified Salvador-Warts-Hippo pathway. We are studying the mechanisms by which activity of this pathway is controlled, using the vinegar fly as a model. Information obtained from our study will aid understanding of human cancer as cellular processes which go awry in cancer, such as cell proliferation and death, are highly conserved between flies and humans.