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Research Projects

Project: Investigating the role of dendritic cell O-GlcNAcylation in adipose tissue homeostasis and immune function

Villadangos Group

O-GlcNAc glycosylation involves addition of a single sugar, β-N-acetylglucosamine, to serine or threonine residues of nuclear or cytoplasmic proteins. This unique type of glycosylation links nutrient sensing, metabolism and immune cell function. The addition and removal of O-GlcNAc is catalysed by O-GlcNAc transferase (OGT) and O-GlcNAse (OGA) respectively. O-GlcNAc glycosylation also occurs in dynamic interplay with phosphorylation. The cross-talk between these two modifications in turn regulates many cellular processes. However, little is known about how O-GlcNAc glycosylation regulates immune cell development and function.

This project will delineate how O-GlcNAcylation links nutrient-sensing and immunity in fat tissue. It will determine how the loss of O-GlcNAcylation in dendritic cells (an important immune cell type), impacts fat tissue development and function in mice fed on a normal diet or a high fat diet that mimics a high calorie Western diet. The outcomes include breakthrough new knowledge, publications and commercial opportunities.

Contact project supervisor for further
information and application enquiries

Project Supervisor

Dr Adam Balic

Project Co-supervisor

Professor Jose Villadangos

Project availability
PhD/MPhil
Master of Biomedical Science
Honours

Villadangos Group

j.villadangos@unimelb.edu.au

6 vacancies

Themes
Immunology
Viral Infectious Diseases
Antimicrobial Resistance
Bacterial and Parasitic Infections
Cross Cutting Disciplines
Discovery Research
Clinical and health systems research

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

Research degrees at the Doherty Institute are administered by the University of Melbourne.

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