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: Investigating the impact of antigen biology on the antitumoral CD4+ T cell response in melanoma.

Gebhardt Group

Our lab has recently developed an orthotopic mouse model that closely recapitulates melanoma in humans. In this model we have demonstrated that CD4+ T cells can mediate remarkable control of tumors. However, tumors develop strategies to evade detection by the immune system which is a major problem for current immunotherapies. Using newly-generated melanoma cell lines, engineered to express CD4+ T cell epitopes under different gene promotors, this project seeks to investigate how variation in antigen biology impacts the antitumoral CD4+ T cell response. A better understanding of T cell responses to different cancer antigens will serve to better understand resistance to current T cell-based immunotherapy and could be used to improve treatments for patients. The Honors student who embarks upon this project will have the opportunity to learn techniques including tissue culture, flow cytometry, microscopy and mice work.

Contact project supervisor for further
information and application enquiries

Project Supervisor

Professor Thomas Gebhardt

Project Co-supervisor

Dr Emma Bawden

Project availability
Honours

Gebhardt Group

gebhardt@unimelb.edu.au

1 vacancies

Themes
Immunology
Cross Cutting Disciplines
Discovery Research
Clinical and health systems research

Thomas’ group studies basic and translational aspects of immune responses in peripheral tissues. Their overall goal is to develop future vaccines and immunomodulatory therapies that target peripheral T cells for improved clinical outcomes in infection, inflammation and cancer.