The Univeristy of Melbourne The Royal Melbourne Hopspital

A joint venture between The University of Melbourne and The Royal Melbourne Hospital

News

10 Oct 2017

NHMRC grants October 2017 | Amy Chung | Functional antibodies against infectious disease

Amy Chung
Amy Chung

Amy Chung, amfAR Mathilde Krim Fellow, HIV Vaccines Laboratory, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Melbourne at the Doherty Institute. 

Career Development Fellowship

Project
Importance of functional antibodies against infectious diseases

Context
Antibodies are highly functional proteins capable of recognising infectious disease pathogens and instructing surrounding immune cells to attack them. This project aims to identify specific antibody targets on HIV and Mycobacterium Tuberculosis associated with protection/control of disease and to understand the mechanisms behind the most functional antibodies. Ultimately, these studies will guide the development of future vaccines and therapies against these deadly pathogens.

Antibodies are a vital component of the immune response required for protection and control of infectious diseases. The support provided by this fellowship will allow us to further understand the protective mechanisms of antibodies against HIV and Mycobacterium Tuberculosis and may potentially provide new insights towards the development of improved antibody based-vaccines and therapeutics.