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Garvan Institute

Sections
 

Immunology and Immunodeficiency

 

Group Leader
Dr Stuart Tangye

 

Our focus is on understanding the development of B cells – the population of white blood cells responsible for the production of protective antibodies - and the regulation of antibody responses. We are particularly interested in understanding how the immune system responds to infections or vaccinations, such that it can provide us with a ‘memory’ of the response so that following subsequent exposure to the same infectious agent, our immune systems will respond more rapidly. We are also studying X-linked lymphoproliferative disease (XLP), a genetic disorder that results in an often-fatal immunodeficiency. These studies are being performed using a  cohort of XLP patients, as well as an animal model of this human disease. Overall, we hope to identify means to improve the immune response in individuals with immunodeficiencies and ways by which the immune system of patients with autoimmune diseases could be attenuated.

The lab receives grant support from the XLP Registry Trust (UK), NHMRC and the Cancer Council NSW.

 

 

Cindy MaSenior Research Officer
Dr Cindy Ma
Mainthan PalendiraSenior Research Officer
Dr Mainthan Palendira
elissa_deenick90.jpgSenior Research Officer
Dr Elissa Deenick
Danielle PreistleySenior Research Assistant
Danielle Priestley
Carol LowResearch Assistant
Carol Low
santi_suryani90.JPGPhD Student
Santi Suryani
Anna ChanResearch Assistant
Anna Chan
Lucinda BerglundPhD Student
Dr Lucinda Berglund
Thomas HambridgeBSc Honours Student
Thomas Hambridge
Megan IvesPhD Student
Megan Ives

 

 

 

News

 

How a single molecule gives our immune systems their memory

MEDIA RELEASE: 11 Jan 2010
By studying the blood cells of people with an immunodeficiency disorder, scientists at Garvan have been able to identify the molecular mechanisms that lead to the production of antibodies in human B cells. This has wider implications for potential treatment of certain cancers and autoimmune diseases.
 
 

What B cells can tell us about certain cancers and autoimmune diseases

MEDIA RELEASE: 23 Nov 2009
By studying blood samples from patients recovering from bone marrow transplants, Garvan scientists have been able to extract information that could help us fight certain cancers and autoimmune diseases.
 
 

Finding that could shed light on "golden staph", candida and allergies

MEDIA RELEASE: 01 Jul 2008
Recent scientific findings explain why people with Hyper IgE Syndrome, or ‘Job’s Syndrome’, are unusually susceptible to certain common infections. By revealing the exact molecular mechanisms involved, they also give us clues as to why some ‘healthy’ people are more prone to these infections than others, and suggest potential treatments.
 
 

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