A Novel Role For MHC Class II In Carbohydrate Presentation
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$703,030.00
Summary
Cells of the immune system swallow up foreign molecules and break them down to smaller fragments. T cells then identify the degraded antigen fragments and coordinate the immune response. In this project we will investigate how the T cells identify carbohydrates.
Tissue Specific Antigen Presenting Cell Functions During Infection.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$555,325.00
Summary
T cell activation is often inefficient following infection or vaccination, resulting in poor control of pathogens. In this grant, we propose to investigate the cellular basis for sub-optimal CD4+ T cell activation following infection. Specifically, we will study the roles of antigen presenting cells in CD4+ T cell activation in an experimental model of visceral leishmaniasis caused by the human protozoan parasite Leishmania donovani.
Quantification Of Antigen Presentation To CD8 T Cells During Virus Infection
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$582,072.00
Summary
Knowledge of how virus-infected cells are detected by the bodyÍs immune system is fundamental to our understanding of virus infections and attempts to improve vaccines. We know that many proteins are displayed during virus infection but until now, the precise details of this display have only been worked out for very few proteins, studied one at a time. In this project we will apply cutting-edge technology to gain the first holistic view of how a virus-infected cell looks to the immune system.
A Proteome-wide Approach To Anti-viral Immunity And Vaccine Development
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$622,655.00
Summary
We know that many parts of viruses are displayed to the immune system, but at present the exact fragments are difficult to predict, we do not know all the genes in our bodies that control this process and we also need better methods to study the way some viruses (e.g. the cold sore virus) avoid detection. This project will study these problems with the overall goal of improving vaccine design, understanding immune deficiency and how viruses fight back against our immune system.
The Molecular Basis Of HLA-linked Drug Hypersensivity Reactions
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$683,040.00
Summary
Adverse drug reactions are one of the leading causes of death in hospitalised patients. We have discovered a new mechanism that links these reactions to recognition of drug induced changes in immunological self, resulting from interactions of drugs with immune receptors. This project probes the generality of this mechanism by examining the basis of life threatening reactions to drugs used to treat epilepsy (carbamazepine), gout (allopurinol), HIV (Nevirapine) and towards aspirin a commonly used ....Adverse drug reactions are one of the leading causes of death in hospitalised patients. We have discovered a new mechanism that links these reactions to recognition of drug induced changes in immunological self, resulting from interactions of drugs with immune receptors. This project probes the generality of this mechanism by examining the basis of life threatening reactions to drugs used to treat epilepsy (carbamazepine), gout (allopurinol), HIV (Nevirapine) and towards aspirin a commonly used pharmaceutical.Read moreRead less
Investigation Of Small Molecule Interactions With The Human Leukocyte Antigen And Their Role In Non-infectious Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$316,449.00
Summary
The Human Leukocyte Antigens (HLA) play a key role in the immune system helping the body differentiate healthy from diseased cells. Numerous autoimmune diseases and adverse drug reactions are associated with specific HLA variants. This study seeks to unlock the mechanisms behind these diseases, investigating how small molecules including drugs interact with the HLA to make healthy body cells seem foreign. This research has the potential to inform strategies for disease avoidance and management.