The Role Of Stellate Cells In Fibrosis And Liver Disease Progression In HIV-Hepatitis B Co-infection
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$157,292.00
Summary
Liver related mortality is the commonest cause of non-AIDS death in HIV infected individuals on treatment. With HIV, HBV liver damage is accelerated and liver-related mortality increased. Understanding how and why is critical to management. I will examine the role of hepatic stellate cells using in vitro models and directly ex vivo from infected patient biopsy tissue. I will investigate the activated of these cells by HIV and HBV infection, thus promoting scar formation with liver injury.
Mammals have evolved an array of mechanisms to sense microbes. These immune sentinels must distinguish self from non-self to activate an immune response. The initiation, amplification and quenching of an immune response is carefully orchestrated to eliminate invading pathogens while minimising collateral damage to host tissues. This research focuses on proteins that prevent inflammatory diseases such as cardiovascular disease, hepatitis, inflammatory bowel disease and skin diseases.
Transport and innate immune properties of DNA in bacterial nano-sized vesicles. All types of living organisms release nano-sized membrane vesicles or “blebs” which they use for intercellular communication and transport of molecules. This project will determine how bacteria package DNA within these vesicles, how this DNA is transported into host cells and how it triggers immune responses in these cells.
Dendritic Cells In Innate Immunity And Their Potential Clinical Manipulation
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$443,946.00
Summary
Dendritic cells (DC) are rare cells that are crucial in response to infection and surveillance of damaged tissues. We aim to understand the tools that are expressed by DC that allow them to sense pathogens and the functions of different DC types once a pathogen has been detected. The ultimate aim is to be able to understand and harness the functions of different DC so that we may directly target them upon demand to aid in the course of infection or potentially as tumour therapy.
Defining The Role Of Nlrp1 And The Inflammasome In Host Defence And Inflammatory Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$634,459.00
Summary
The immune system protects the body from invading pathogens, but it can also attack the body causing inflammatory and autoimmune diseases like arthritis and multiple sclerosis. This project will focus on the molecular regulation of the ïinflammasomeÍ, a protein complex that senses invading pathogens and triggers the immune response. Understanding the inflammasome may hold the key to a better understanding of how the good and bad functions of the immune system can be balanced to prevent disease.
Manipulating The Fine-turning Of The Innate Immune Response In Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$938,910.00
Summary
I am an international expert on the body’s first-line defense system, the innate immune response. My Fellowship focuses on studying and manipulating innate immune molecules called interferons. My research will lead to improved management of female reproductive disease, autoimmune disorders, infections and cancer through new diagnostics and therapies targeting the interferon system. The basic knowledge I generate on regulating the immune response will be applicable to a range of medical fields.
Understanding ILC1 Transcriptional Regulation And Function In Immune Protection
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$425,048.00
Summary
Natural killer cells are innate cells that provide first line defense against infection and cancer. The recent discovery of a novel innate cell population has modified our vision of the early events necessary for immune protection. Understanding the role of these cells is critical as they could represent viable therapeutic targets. We have developed unique mouse models to experimentally target this population to determine how they are generated and their role in combating infection and cancer.
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE200101300
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$423,711.00
Summary
Lipopolysaccharide-induced macrophage extracellular traps in host defence. The innate immune system is the first line of defence against invading microbes. Macrophages are key innate immune cells that deploy antimicrobial responses to clear infection and restore health. There are many critical unanswered questions on the molecular mechanisms that drive macrophage inflammatory and antimicrobial pathways. This project aims to elucidate a novel inflammatory mechanism that immobilises and kills inva ....Lipopolysaccharide-induced macrophage extracellular traps in host defence. The innate immune system is the first line of defence against invading microbes. Macrophages are key innate immune cells that deploy antimicrobial responses to clear infection and restore health. There are many critical unanswered questions on the molecular mechanisms that drive macrophage inflammatory and antimicrobial pathways. This project aims to elucidate a novel inflammatory mechanism that immobilises and kills invading bacteria via newly discovered structures made by dying macrophages called extracellular traps. Insight we gain by interrogating this immune cell signalling pathway, called the non-canonical inflammasome, will add valuable knowledge to our fundamental understanding of mammalian inflammation and anti-microbial responses
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A Study Of The Function Of Neuronal Apoptosis Inhibitory Proteins (NAIP) In Innate Immunity.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$242,696.00
Summary
The innate immune system is the first line of defence against infection and cancer. Regulation of the immune system is extremely important as too little response can lead to severe infections, whilst too much response can lead to chronic inflammatory disease. This project will examine the role of �neuronal apoptosis inhibitory protein� in the immune system, which should provide information on regulation of innate immunity, as well as provide insight to neurodegenerative diseases and cancer.
Analysing the protective role of platelets during malaria infection. Platelets protect the host during malarial infection. This project aims to study how platelets kill the malaria parasite by investigating the role of host molecules and their potential as novel antimalarial agents. The role of platelets in the pathogenesis of cerebral malaria syndrome will also be investigated.