Immunity, Chronic Inflammation and Cardiovascular Disease

Research Opportunity
PhD students, Masters by Research, Honours students
Department
Baker Department of Cardiometabolic Health
Location
Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute
Primary Supervisor Email Number Webpage
Professor Karlheinz Peter karlheinz.peter@unimelb.edu.au
Co-supervisor Email Number Webpage
Dr Jonathan Noonan noonan.j@unimelb.edu.au Personal web page

Summary Our research focuses on understanding the immunological mechanisms that drive inflammation in cardiovascular diseases. In doing so, we aim to facilitate the development and implementation of effective anti-inflammatory and immune-modulating therapies for patients with cardiovascular disease.

Project Details

Our research focuses on understanding the immunological mechanisms that drive inflammation in
cardiovascular diseases. In doing so, we aim to facilitate the development and implementation of effective
anti-inflammatory and immune-modulating therapies for patients with cardiovascular disease.
Atherosclerosis is a disease characterised by the formation of chronically inflamed lipid laden plaques in
medium and large arteries, such as those that supply the heart and brain with blood. The rupture of these
plaques causes blood clots which can block these arteries, and is the primary cause of myocardial infarction
(heart attacks), strokes, and the majority of cardiovascular disease mortality.
Despite recognition that inflammation is a key feature of atherosclerosis and the most likely cause of plaque
rupture, it is not fully understood what drives the chronicity of pro-atherosclerotic immune responses. With a
particular focus on the adaptive immune system (T & B cells); we aim to deeply characterise the immune
landscape in atherosclerosis using state-of-the-art technologies, identify the causes of immune dysregulation
and chronic atherosclerotic inflammation and define the role these pathways play in the development and
outcome of cardiovascular disease.

In this research we will use techniques such as:
● Flow Cytometry
● Cell Culture
● Immunofluorescent Microscopy
● Immunohistochemistry
● Intravital and Multiphoton Microscopy
● Bulk and Single Cell RNA Sequencing
● Bulk and Single Cell ATAC Sequencing

There is the opportunity to pursue several avenues for research projects, including:
● Deep characterisation of adaptive immune responses in human and murine cardiovascular disease.
● Defining the role of sexual dimorphism in the immune response in cardiovascular disease.
● The role of conventional vs unconventional T cells in atherosclerosis and myocardial infarction.
● Modulating adaptive immunity for the treatment of cardiovascular disease.

School Research Themes

Cardiometabolic


Research Opportunities

PhD students, Masters by Research, Honours students
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

Graduate Research application

Honours application

Key Contact

For further information about this research, please contact a supervisor.

Department

Baker Department of Cardiometabolic Health

Research Node

Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute

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