Project: Investigating the role of memory T cell subsets in protection from malaria
Heath Group
Malaria-specific memory CD8+ T cells are crucial for providing protection from the liver stage of malaria infection. But it is unclear which subset/s is responsible for protection. After vaccination, effector memory (Tem) and tissue-resident memory (Trm) cells are found in the liver with both populations closely interacting with infected hepatocytes. Using knockout mice and depleting antibodies, the contribution of both memory T cell subsets to protection from malaria will be assessed by flow cytometry and qPCR techniques.
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Heath Group
3 vacancies
The Heath group is interested in the immune response to pathogens, particularly to malaria, which is still a major cause of mortality worldwide. We study T cell responses with the aim of improving vaccine strategies and focus on T cell responses in the skin, the liver and lymphoid organs including the spleen. Our lab recently discovered a population of resident memory T cells within the liver that are capable of protecting against malaria infection. These and other cells are currently being studied.
Heath Group Current Projects
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Discovery of malaria vaccine peptide targets
Honours
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Gamma delta T cells, crucial for malaria immunity
PhD/MPhil, Master of Biomedical Science, Honours
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Type 2 CD4 responses form better memory
PhD/MPhil, Master of Biomedical Science, Honours
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Development of a malaria-specific mRNA vaccine
Master of Biomedical Science, Honours
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Investigating the role of memory T cell subsets in protection from malaria
Master of Biomedical Science, Honours
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Determining the effector pathways used by memory T cell subsets to clear malaria parasites from the liver
Master of Biomedical Science, Honours
Research degrees at the Doherty Institute are administered by the University of Melbourne.