Project: Improving the formation of protective immunity against human viruses
Villadangos Group
CD4+ helper T cells underpin the generation of life-long protective immunity against infectious disease. They are pivotal for activating CD8+ killer T cells and driving B cell production of neutralising antibodies, which are both required to recover from and prevent infection. However, the CD4+ T cells that are activated following infection are not generally assessed in studies of vaccine efficacy and/or protective immunity. In addition to established functions of effector CD4+ T cells in driving immune memory is an emerging role for regulatory T cells (Tregs), which until now have been under-appreciated in this context. Tregs, in addition to their critical role in maintaining self-tolerance, are important in limiting immunopathology following infection. Further, evidence from mouse studies suggests Tregs are crucial for the generation of memory T cells and also control the homing of immune cells into infected tissues. However, it remains unknown if these are also key functions for human Tregs. This project will investigate the mechanisms of how human Tregs shape immune memory responses using cutting-edge technology including organoid co-culture, gene editing, functional cellular assays and spectral cytometry. Data from this project will form a foundation for designing more efficacious treatment and prevention strategies for infectious diseases.
Supervisors:
Dr Laura Cook
Professor Jose Villadangos
Contact project supervisor for further
information and application enquiries
Villadangos Group
6 vacancies
The Villadangos group studies the first event that triggers adaptive immune responses: the presentation of pathogen or tumour antigens to T cells by Dendritic Cells, B cells and Macrophages. We are characterizing the development, regulation and impairment of antigen presenting cells by pathogens, inflammatory mediators and tumours. We are also dissecting the biochemical machinery involved in antigen capture, processing, and presentation. We use this knowledge to understand how T cell-dependent immunity is initiated and maintained and apply it to design better vaccines and immunotherapies against infectious agents and cancer.
All our projects are open to Honours/Master of Biomedical Science students and PhD/MPhil graduate researchers
Villadangos Group Current Projects
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The immune signature of sepsis
PhD/MPhil, Master of Biomedical Science, Honours
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Regulating macrophage 'eating' for cancer and pathogen control
PhD/MPhil, Master of Biomedical Science, Honours
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Trogocytosis: a novel communication system between cells of the immune system
PhD/MPhil, Master of Biomedical Science, Honours
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Improving the formation of protective immunity against human viruses
PhD/MPhil, Master of Biomedical Science, Honours
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A novel link between metabolism and immune function: O-GlcNAc glycosylation
PhD/MPhil, Master of Biomedical Science, Honours
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Immunoregulatory functions of the MARCH family of ubiquitin ligases
PhD/MPhil, Master of Biomedical Science, Honours
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Understanding the causes of immune paralysis and secondary infections in sepsis and trauma patients
PhD/MPhil, Master of Biomedical Science, Honours
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Harnessing the power of RNA vaccines and therapeutics
PhD/MPhil, Master of Biomedical Science, Honours
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MR1 – a molecular detection system for bacteria
PhD/MPhil, Master of Biomedical Science, Honours
Research degrees at the Doherty Institute are administered by the University of Melbourne.