The Univeristy of Melbourne The Royal Melbourne Hopspital

A joint venture between The University of Melbourne and The Royal Melbourne Hospital

EDUCATION

Research Projects

Project: Integrating multiomics to decipher regulators of T cell function in chronic infection and cancer

Utzschneider Group

Single-cell RNA-seq data has been generated to start analysis immediately on studies of the T cell response to stimulation in different infection settings, with potential to publish novel findings in high-ranking biological journals. Further, single-cell ATAC-seq data will be generated to further explore the research question. In addition to biological findings, bioinformatics methods development is anticipated. The project can be executed as dry-lab
only, with potential for wet-lab components if desired. The candidate should have experience in bioinformatics and basic knowledge of biology.

Contact project supervisor for further
information and application enquiries

Project Supervisor

Dr Daniel Utzschneider 

Project Co-supervisor

Dr Jan Schroeder

Project availability
PhD/MPhil
Master of Biomedical Science

Utzschneider Group

daniel.utzschneider@unimelb.edu.au

2 vacancies

Themes
Immunology
Viral Infectious Diseases
Cross Cutting Disciplines
Discovery Research
Clinical and health systems research

CD8+ T cells persistently exposed to antigen, such as during chronic viral infections and in tumors, undergo substantial functional and phenotypic changes, a state widely known as T cell ‘exhaustion’. This includes impairments in effector function and elevated expression of inhibitory receptors such as PD-1. Inhibitory receptors constitute critical checkpoints in T cell activation and their expression represents a major mechanism by which T cell proliferation and function are limited. Blocking the activity of PD-1 augments T cell mediated immunity and has revolutionized our approach to the treatment of many cancers. However, despite the unparalleled success of this so-called checkpoint blockade, it does not revert the functional impairments linked to T cell exhaustion, which constitutes a critical limitation in utilizing the full potential of the body’s immune response.

Our group studies the mechanisms inducing T cell exhaustion with the ultimate goal to identify targets that can lead to the design and development of novel therapeutic treatments to improve health of patients suffering from chronic infections or cancer.


Utzschneider Group Current Projects