Can resident memory B cells in the lung protect against respiratory syncytial virus?
- Research Opportunity
- PhD, Masters by Research
- Department
- Microbiology and Immunology
- Location
- Doherty Institute
| Primary Supervisor | Number | Webpage | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Professor Stephen Kent | skent@unimelb.edu.au | (03) 8344 9939 | Personal web page |
| Co-supervisor | Number | Webpage | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dr Adam Wheatley | a.wheatley@unimelb.edu.au | 9035 4179 | |
| Dr Hyon-Xhi Tan | hxtan@unimelb.edu.au | 8344 0764 |
Summary This project will assess if immunisation to establish antiviral memory B cells in the lung can combat RSV infection. It will involve: engineering novel influenza-based viral vectors to deliver RSV vaccine antigens, testing in animal models and characterising B cell immunity using a variety of advanced microscopy and flow cytometry-based techniques.
Project Details
A protective role for memory T lymphocytes localised outside of traditional immune sites has been comprehensively established. However, recent studies have shown memory B cells can similarly take up tissue residence, although the immune benefit for doing so remains unclear. Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) causes acute respiratory infections in paediatric and geriatric populations associated with significant morbidity, and effective vaccines are currently lacking. This project will assess if immunisation to establish antiviral memory B cells in the lung can combat RSV infection. It will involve: engineering novel influenza-based viral vectors to deliver RSV vaccine antigens, testing in animal models and characterising B cell immunity using a variety of advanced microscopy and flow cytometry-based techniques.
Faculty Research Themes
School Research Themes
Research Opportunities
PhD, Masters by Research
Students who are interested in joining this project will need to consider their elegibility as well as other requirements before contacting the supervisor of this research
Key Contact
For further information about this research, please contact a supervisor.
Department
Research Group / Unit / Centre
Kent laboratory: HIV vaccines; immune responses to HIV-1; immunotherapy
Research Node
Doherty InstituteMDHS Research library
Explore by researcher, school, project or topic.