New Mechanisms Regulating S100 Protein Function In Inflammation
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$813,929.00
Summary
This project will examine new ways which affect the major effector cells in allergic inflammation and asthma regulated by novel S100 protein mediators. We find a natural protein (S100A12) of the innate immune system, in cells in the lungs of patients with acute asthma. S100A12 activates mast cells to release mediators that trigger asthma attack. We will characterise the proteins with which this protein binds on the cell surface and and determine how this mediates their activation.
Identification Of Novel Strategies To Mediate Immunity Against Intracellular Pathogens
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$325,084.00
Summary
The immune system consists of two arms - innate and adaptive. Current vaccine strategies rely mainly on adaptive features of the immune system to mediate immunity against pathogens. Many pathogens have evolved sophisticated strategies to manipulate the adaptive immune system to render it ineffective. This project will investigate microbial detection by the innate immune system, and aims to discover novel, more effective strategies to mediate immunity against intracellular pathogens.
Characterization Of Human-specific Anti-microbial Pathways
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$586,428.00
Summary
The immune system protects us against infectious disease by killing invading microbes or pathogens. Macrophages are white blood cells that are important for the recognition and destruction of pathogens. This project aims to investigate the role of certain genes, which are turned on in macrophages when they sense invading pathogens, in protecting us against infectious diseases such as tuberculosis and gastroenteritis.