Project: Can resident memory B cells in the lung protect against respiratory syncytial virus?
Kent group
A protective role for memory T lymphocytes localised outside of traditional immune sites has been comprehensively established. However, recent studies have shown memory B cells can similarly take up tissue residence, although the immune benefit for doing so remains unclear. Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) causes acute respiratory infections in paediatric and geriatric populations associated with significant morbidity, and effective vaccines are currently lacking. This project will assess if immunisation to establish antiviral memory B cells in the lung can combat RSV infection. It will involve: engineering novel influenza-based viral vectors to deliver RSV vaccine antigens, testing in animal models and characterising B cell immunity using a variety of advanced microscopy and flow cytometry-based techniques.
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Kent group
3 vacancies
Research Projects 2019 | 25 The Kent group has an interest in understanding how the immune response can be harnessed in the control of infectious pathogens including HIV, Mycobacterium tuberculosis and influenza. This includes understanding non-conventional T cells and how they are impacted by HIV infection despite the fact that they are not target cells for HIV replication. We use animal models to investigate ways to manipulate these cells and to understand how they are regulated during viral infection. We also examine how antibodies can instruct the innate immune system to attack invading pathogens through their Fc regions. Our research aims to understand the mechanisms behind these antibodies in order to guide the development of more effective antibody therapeutics and vaccines.
Kent group Current Projects
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Can resident memory B cells in the lung protect against respiratory syncytial virus?
PhD/MPhil, Master of Biomedical Science
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Programming gamma delta T cells for HIV immunotherapy
Master of Biomedical Science, Honours
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Interrogating B cell immunity to influenza vaccines
PhD/MPhil, Master of Biomedical Science
Research degrees at the Doherty Institute are administered by the University of Melbourne.