The Univeristy of Melbourne The Royal Melbourne Hopspital

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

  • Research Groups
    • Wakim Group

      Linda’s group’s main research focus is understating the mechanism of action and regulation of expression of antiviral proteins. Linda’s group also aims to characterise CD8 T cell responses within the lung following virus infection. 

      Other work areas include:Immunology


    Current Projects

    • Investigating the Mechanism of Action of the Antiviral Molecule, IFITM3

      Cells of the immune system, due to the nature of their job, often find themselves at sites of active virus infection. Immune cells up-regulate the expression of an array of molecules upon entry into an inflamed/infected tissue and these molecules help render them resistant to infection. One such molecule, IFITM3, is a potent antiviral protein having the capacity to render cells resistant to influenza virus. To date, the precise antiviral mechanism(s) of IFITM3 is unknown. We are currently investigating the mechanism of action and regulation of expression of IFITM3.

    • Memory T Cell Responses in the Lung During Virus Infection

      Many viruses enter the body by inhalation and initiate their replication cycle within the lung. The early stage of infection, while the virus is confined to the lung, provides the ideal window of opportunity for an effective immune response. Tissue-resident memory (Trm) CD8 T cells reside in the lung and are ideally situated to act during this window and stall the infection. Strategies that generate Trm within the lung hold significant therapeutic potential. Linda’s group are currently investigating Trm within the lung, identifying factors important in their differentiation and longevity. 


    Lab Team

    Wakim Group

    • Jeffery Smith
      Research Assistant
    • James Bedford
      Technical Assistant

    Clinical Research

    Anyone can be infected by influenza, but some people are more susceptible to infection, severe disease and clinical complications. Clinical studies at the Doherty Institute are focused on specific risk groups, seeking to understand characteristics of viruses and the immune system that result in increased susceptibility and clinical severity. In particular, current studies are considering:

    Doherty Institute researchers are also characterising immune responses to influenza vaccination or infection in various groups of people, including:

    Now recruiting volunteers

    There are currently no Now recruiting volunteers

    Current projects

    • Influenza

      How do cross-reactive memory B cells affect influenza vaccine titers?

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    • Influenza

      LIFT: Investigating T cell immunity to influenza in Indigenous populations

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    • Influenza

      Understanding immunity to influenza viruses in patients hospitalised with severe and fatal disease

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