The Univeristy of Melbourne The Royal Melbourne Hopspital

A joint venture between The University of Melbourne and The Royal Melbourne Hospital

EDUCATION

Research Projects

Project: Harnessing Trm immunity through vaccination

Heath Group

Tissue-resident memory T cells (Trm cells) can provide fast, efficient responses against infection in organs. Trm cell generation through vaccination promises to provide unprecedented protection against infection. A key aspect of Trm cell formation is effector T cell migration and retention in tissues. Signals received by the T cell during activation, as well as those deriving from tissues (for example, during infection), can have a profound impact in Trm formation. Similar signals are evoked during vaccination using adjuvants. This project seeks to study the effect of adjuvants on T cell migration and Trm formation in tissues, and hence to harness Trm formation in target organs through vaccination.         

Contact project supervisor for further
information and application enquiries

Project Supervisor

Dr Daniel Fernandez-Ruiz

Project Co-supervisor

Professor William Heath

Project availability
Master of Biomedical Science
Honours

Heath Group

lynette.beattie@unimelb.edu.au

8 vacancies

Themes
Immunology
Bacterial and Parasitic Infections
Cross Cutting Disciplines
Discovery Research

The Heath group is interested in the immune response to pathogens, particularly to malaria, which is still a major cause of mortality worldwide. We study T cell responses with the aim of improving vaccine strategies and focus on T cell responses in the skin, the liver and lymphoid organs including the spleen. Our lab recently discovered a population of resident memory T cells within the liver that are capable of protecting against malaria infection. These and other cells are currently being studied. 


Heath Group Current Projects