Chemokine Mediated Collaboration Between T Cells And Dendritic Cells During Inflammation
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$342,384.00
Summary
The immune system protects us from foreign pathogens by using multiple immune cell types. Immune cells need to migrate and interact with each other in order to function properly. When immune cells fail to migrate appropriately, autoimmune diseases or immunodeficiency may develop. By understanding the molecules regulating their migration, we can promote or inhibit immune cell function.
Kinetics, Mechanism And Engraftment Of In Vitro Generated T Cell Precursors As A Strategy To Enhance Thymic Rejuvenation Following Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$403,324.00
Summary
Immune regeneration - following standard cancer therapies such as chemotherapy and radiation-therapy for hematopoietic (blood) stem cell transplant (HSCT) - is one of the most significant unmet clinical challenges today. This research will focus on using “off the shelf” precursor T cells to improve immune reconstitution following HSCT, thereby significantly reducing the incidence of morbidity and mortality following transplantation.
Investigations Into The Architectural And Biophysical Features Of Optimal T Cell Receptor Design
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$251,877.00
Summary
Humans evolve slowly, pathogens and cancer evolve quickly. Unsurprisingly, our immune systems often lose this arms race and we irreversibly succumb to disease. Catastrophically, >26 million people are lost every year to the these causes. This project will use a new technology to rapidly advance the evolution of human immune receptors to construct a class of super-receptor. These super-receptors may prove decisive weapons in the fight against cancer and infectious disease.
Analysis Of T Cell Fate Regulation By Asymmetric Cell Division
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$287,321.00
Summary
The aim of this research is to study how white blood cell growth is regulated by signals of the immune system. Problems in this process can have drastic effects on the well being of an individual leading to deficiencies in controlling infection and development of diseases such as cancer. Once we understand how these signals regulate white blood cell growth, we can begin to develop therapies to provide protection against these diseases.
Production Of Human Monoclonal Antibodies In Vitro
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$358,500.00
Summary
Antibodies are defence molecules that permeate our tissues. The diversity of antibodies in a healthy organism is vast, providing the potential to neutralise almost any biological molecule or pathogen with exquisite selectivity. We have invented a cell culture-based platform to generate and select human antibodies specific for any desired target. Unlike most antibodies currently used in laboratories, these antibodies will be usable as drugs as well as for detection of disease.