Pneumococcal disease is one of the biggest killers of children under 5 years of age worldwide, mostly in developing countries. Pneumococcal conjugate vaccines are highly effective at reducing pneumococcal disease however the duration of protection and the immune factors involved is unknown, particularly when fewer than the recommended number of doses are used. My fellowship aims to examine the key immune factors that provide long-term protection following pneumococcal vaccination.
Coordination Of The Fanconi Anemia Pathway To Maintain Genome Stability
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$470,144.00
Summary
Fanconi anaemia is a heritable disorder where bone marrow failure occurs on average at age seven and is the major cause of death at around age 20. Many patients also develop leukaemia, representing another overwhelming hurdle in their youth. The incorrect function of any one of 19 proteins can lead to Fanconi anaemia. We will search for a drug that can compensate for the absence of one of these proteins to allow correct function of the other proteins offering possible leads for treatment.
Systems Immunology Of Antigen Specific T Cells: From Single-cell To Immune Protection
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$470,144.00
Summary
T cells are key for establishment of immune protection and object of ongoing research in vaccines and more recently immunotherapy against infections and some cancers. Their dynamics are complex and many mechanisms remain unknown that could be exploited for modern therapies. Here, in a systems approach I will combined single cell technologies, immunology and computational biology to identify the factors that determine the establishment of long term memory cells utilising a unique set of samples.
Heart attacks remain a major cause of morbidity and mortality. I am an interventional cardiologist who heads an expanding basic and translational science laboratory (Cardiac Oxidative Signalling) at the Kolling Institute and who plays a leading role in clinical cardiovascular research at Royal North Shore Hospital. My vision is to translate fundamental discoveries in our Laboratory to new therapies and methods of risk stratification to improve immediate and long term outcomes of patients sufferi ....Heart attacks remain a major cause of morbidity and mortality. I am an interventional cardiologist who heads an expanding basic and translational science laboratory (Cardiac Oxidative Signalling) at the Kolling Institute and who plays a leading role in clinical cardiovascular research at Royal North Shore Hospital. My vision is to translate fundamental discoveries in our Laboratory to new therapies and methods of risk stratification to improve immediate and long term outcomes of patients suffering heart attack.Read moreRead less
Dysferlin Coordinates Membrane Repair For Skeletal And Cardiac Injury
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$459,270.00
Summary
Muscles are damaged all of the time, as we stretch and contract them, but we don't fully understand how they repair themselves. We are studying the molecular steps taken by a muscle cell to repair membrane damage. Our research will provide valuable insights into how to treat muscular dystrophy and other conditions characterised by membrane damage to cells, such as heart attack and stroke.
Understanding, Detecting, Monitoring And Treating Brain Dysfunctions Due To Chronic Immune Diseases
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$415,219.00
Summary
The role of immune burdens on the brain of middle-aged persons is not well understood. For example the combined brain effects of HIV and cardio-vascular diseases are unknown. Our research is about better understanding those processes using advanced neuropsychology and brain imaging methods. It is also about developing new instruments to detect problems as early as possible, to monitor them accurately and to better treat them in Australia and the Asia-Pacific region.