Project: Role of MAIT cells in viral/bacterial co-infection
McCluskey group
MAIT cells are highly abundant and play important immune roles in bacterial infection, barrier function and tissue repair. MAIT cells are also activated in a TCR independent manner by viruses such as influenza A virus and may play a role in protection. However, they also have been reported to decline in number, and appear exhausted, in the blood following viral infections.
Using innovative tools and mouse models we have established, this project will address the direct and indirect impact of viral infection on MR1 antigen presentation and MAIT cell function. Viral/bacterial co-infections are highly clinically important, but the complexity of the immune response is poorly understood. Therefore, this project it will also assess the effect of viral infection on concurrent and subsequent MAIT cell activation through bacterial infection or MAIT cell targeted vaccination schemes. The project will involve in vitro assays, flow cytometry and mouse experiments.
Contact project supervisor for further
information and application enquiries
McCluskey group
4 vacancies
The McCluskey group is an internationally-leading laboratory in mucosal-associated invariant T (MAIT) cell research, having made significant breakthrough discoveries in MAIT cell immunity. These include identifying the antigens recognised by MAIT cells and the associated development of tetramers to characterise MAIT cells (patented). The McCluskey group has also developed human in vitro and in vivo models to understand MAIT cell function and the role of MAIT cells as part of the immune system. In addition, the group has deep expertise in biochemistry, including MAIT cell ligand discovery by mass spectrometry and cellular immunology, allowing to comprehensively address big picture research questions.
McCluskey group Current Projects
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Are there additional MAIT cell antigens?
PhD/MPhil
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Manipulating MAIT cells for increased protection by vaccination and therapy
PhD/MPhil, Master of Biomedical Science
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Dissecting antigen presenting cell subsets and cytokines responding to TLR agonists for MAIT cell activation
PhD/MPhil, Master of Biomedical Science, Honours
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Role of MAIT cells in viral/bacterial co-infection
PhD/MPhil, Master of Biomedical Science, Honours
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Understanding the role of MAIT cells in protection from microbial infections
PhD/MPhil, Master of Biomedical Science, Honours
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Understanding the role of MAIT cells in immune-mediated pathology
PhD/MPhil
Research degrees at the Doherty Institute are administered by the University of Melbourne.