Infection and immunity
About
Organisms defend themselves against infections through innate and adaptive immune responses. In the Research School of Biology we investigate important pathogens (Shigella, poxviruses and herpesviruses) and how they are recognised by the immune system. We investigate how cells of the immune system develop and how the immune system can be used to fight infectious agents and cancer cells. These approaches are used to generate new vaccines and to develop cancer therapies.
Groups
The Altin group on tumour immunology and liposome targeting.
We are working on a very simple and inexpensive cancer immunotherapy treatment, and a bioinformatics study looking for novel proteins in different genomes.
We aim to identify new potential targets for antibacterial agents, using structural biology, biochemistry and bacteriology methods.
We study membrane transport processes in the Plasmodium parasites that cause malaria.
The Maier Group focusses on the identification of molecules involved in malaria pathogenesis and transmission.
Our research actually spans may study systems and research questions. But the evolution of honey bee parasites and diseases and is a major focus.
Rathjen group focuses on all aspects of plant immunity, characterising the fascinating interplay between host and pathogen.
We investigate the molecular mechanism of the O-antigen modification in S. flexneri by studying the structure proteins responsible for these changes.
We aim to understand the molecular basis of the interactions between plant hosts and the microorganisms, particularly fungi, that colonise them.
Projects
News
A low-cost, non-toxic cancer treatment has been developed by researchers at The Australian National University (ANU). The treatment uses dead bacteria to help kick-start the immune system and shrink cancer.
Some clever detective work by an international team of scientists has uncovered how a deadly fungus - a stem rust called Ug99 - came about through some unusual breeding habits. The discovery will help protect wheat crops around the world from devastating fungal diseases.
Aude Fahrer's work aims to activate the immune cells responsible for attacking cancer, in a simple, low cost way.
Researchers have a new understanding of the genetic makeup of a fungus that causes the disease Wheat Stripe Rust, one of the most destructive wheat diseases globally costing $1 billion annually.
One of the malaria parasite's best weapons against drug treatments turns out to be an Achilles' heel, which could be exploited to cure the deadly disease.