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Research

P2X7 receptor-mediated killing of an intracellular parasite, Toxoplasma gondii, by human and murine macrophages

The P2X7R is highly expressed on the macrophage cell surface, and activation of infected cells by extracellular ATP has been shown to kill intracellular bacte

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Decades-old work picked up by Google’s DeepMind leads to global scientific breakthrough

A researcher's work from 20 years ago has helped to crack one of biology’s biggest mysteries.

Research

CXCR1 and SLC11A1 polymorphisms affect susceptibility to cutaneous leishmaniasis in Brazil: a case-control and family-based study

To look at the interplay between PMN and macrophages in disease progression in humans we asked whether polymorphisms at genes that regulate their infiltration..

Research

Defining the microbes in the middle ear and upper respiratory tract that lead to recurrent ear infections – a metagenomic study

Using the latest sequencing technology to examine the microbial composition of the middle ear & nasopharyngeal region, the site of initial colonization of OM

Research

SeqNextGen: Translating NextGen Sequencing for the Diagnosis of Developmental Anomalies and Rare Diseases

Development and implementation of a person-centric Model of Care for people living with developmental anomalies and rare diseases in Western Australia.

Research

Common and Rare Genetic Variants That Could Contribute to Severe Otitis Media in an Australian Aboriginal Population

Our goal was to identify genetic risk factors for severe otitis media (OM) in Aboriginal Australians.

Research

Zika Virus Changes Methylation of Genes Involved in Immune Response and Neural Development in Brazilian Babies Born With Congenital Microcephaly

The recent increase in babies born with brain and eye malformations in Brazil is associated with Zika virus (ZIKV) infection in utero. ZIKV alters host DNA methylation in vitro. Using genome-wide DNA methylation profiling we compared 18 babies born with congenital ZIKV microcephaly with 20 controls. We found ZIKV-associated alteration of host methylation patterns, notably at RABGAP1L which is important in brain development, at viral host immunity genes MX1 and ISG15, and in an epigenetic module containing the causal microcephaly gene MCPH1. Our data support the hypothesis that clinical signs of congenital ZIKV are associated with changes in DNA methylation.

Research

Linking the westernised oropharyngeal microbiome to the immune response in Chinese immigrants

Human microbiota plays a fundamental role in modulating the immune response. Western environment and lifestyle are envisaged to alter the human microbiota with a new microbiome profile established in Chinese immigrants, which fails to prime the immune system. Here, we investigated how differences in composition of oropharyngeal microbiome may contribute to patterns of interaction between the microbiome and immune system in Chinese immigrants living in Australia.

Research

Epitope-Binding Characteristics for Risk versus Protective DRB1 Alleles for Visceral Leishmaniasis

Our data provide insight into the molecular mechanisms underpinning the association of HLA-DRB1 alleles with risk versus protection in visceral leishmaniasis in humans

Research

Toxoplasma gondii infection is associated with mitochondrial dysfunction in-vitro

Our results show perturbation of host mitochondrial function following T. gondii infection that likely impacts on pathogenesis of disease.