Project: Understanding the role of MAIT cells in protection from microbial infections
McCluskey group
There are very few studies that have investigated the role of MAIT cells in protection to microbial infections. In collaboration with microbiologists and clinicians, we have set up a number of infection models in mice relevant to human diseases. By comparing the pathogen burden in MAIT cell deficient versus competent mice, we determine in each model whether MAIT cells are protective. Using MAIT cell specific tetramers, developed originally in our laboratory, we characterise the frequency and function of MAIT cells by a range of flow cytometry-based techniques. Pathogenesis is assessed by histology. Such analysis provides an insight in the underlying mechanisms of protection, which are also determined in protection experiments with mice knocked-out for specific immune mediators. Microbial infection models include viral, bacterial and fungal pathogens. They are also complemented with human in vitro models of infection and where possible, with experiments on samples from patients. As part of this project it is possible to focus only on human in vitro models of infection (and patient samples) or mouse work.
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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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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
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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