Molecular basis for growth factor surveillance in natural killer cells
- Research Opportunity
- PhD, Masters by Research, Honours
- Department
- Microbiology and Immunology
- Location
- Doherty Institute
| Primary Supervisor | Number | Webpage | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dr Alexander David Barrow | alexanderdav@unimelb.edu.au |
Summary The Barrow group are determining the functions of the different NKp44 isoforms and how they impact NK cell surveillance of cancers expressing PDGF-D.
Project Details
Many tumours secrete Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-D to promote tumour growth. NK cells have evolved the activating ITAM receptor NKp44 to sense the expression of PDGF-D and trigger the secretion of cytokines that halt tumour growth. An alternatively spliced NKp44 isoform encodes an ‘ITIM’ that is predicted to be inhibitory and is associated with poor survival in cancer. Tumours may induce this inhibitory NKp44 form to dampen NK cell function as a form of immune evasion. The Barrow group are determining the functions of the different NKp44 isoforms and how they impact NK cell surveillance of cancers expressing PDGF-D.
Faculty Research Themes
Cancer, Infection and Immunology
Research Opportunities
PhD, Masters by Research, Honours
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 Node
Doherty InstituteMDHS Research library
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