Project: Signals controlling T cell responses during chronic infections and cancer
Mueller Group
Chronic viral infections and cancers lead to dysfunctional CD8 T cells, characterised by high expression of the co-inhibitory checkpoint molecule PDI. Targeting PDI in immunotherapy has been successful in improving patient outcomes in cancer but there is a need to better understand the mechanisms that regulate CD8 T cell responses to improve immunotherapies. Recently, a subset of exhausted T cells that respond to checkpoint blockade were identified. This CD8 T cell subset resides in the T cell zone of the spleen and has unique features of stem-like cells. Also present in the spleen T cell zone are subsets of stromal cells that are required to orchestrate immune responses. By combining RNA sequencing with confocal microscopy and flow cytometry we identified dysfunctional changes in these stromal cells in the spleen. The aim of this project will be to understand how the spleen microenvironment, specifically the stromal cells, generate and maintain these stem-like virus-specific CD8 T cells in the context of chronic viral infection and B cell lymphoma. This project will provide new insights into the biology T cell dysfunction and open ways to generate better treatments for immunotherapy.
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Mueller Group
2 vacancies

Research in the Mueller group is focused on examining immune responses to acute and chronic viral infections and to tumours. We are using state-of-the-art methods, including intravital 2-photon microscopy to visualise immune cells and pathogens in real time. We are examining how T cells are activated and protect against infections, the induction of immune memory and tissue-resident memory T cells, and the role of stromal cells and nerves in tissues for the design of new vaccines and therapeutics.
Mueller Group Current Projects
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Regeneration of lymphoid tissues
PhD/MPhil, Master of Biomedical Science, Honours
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How do tumours impact normal tissue functions?
PhD/MPhil, Master of Biomedical Science, Honours
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Neural regulation of anti-cancer immunity
PhD/MPhil, Master of Biomedical Science, Honours
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Signals controlling T cell responses during chronic infections and cancer
Master of Biomedical Science, Honours