PhD Scholarship in ‘Using nanoparticles to enhance the immune response and improve vaccine efficacy’
This project will examine the immune response to vaccines using various nanoparticle formulations and determine how they interact with cells to generate a strong immune response, capable of protecting against severe diseases such as cancer or malaria.
This project will examine the immune response to vaccines using various nanoparticle formulations and determine how they interact with cells to generate a strong immune response, capable of protecting against severe diseases such as cancer or malaria.
The value of the Scholarship is equivalent to an RMIT full Scholarship
This Scholarship will be available for 3.5 Years.
The value of the Scholarship is equivalent to an RMIT full Scholarship
This Scholarship will be available for 3.5 Years.
Applications are open now.
Applications are open now.
Position will remain open until filled.
Position will remain open until filled.
Two
Two
Will have Honours or Masters in either immunology, vaccines, microbiology, parasitology, biochemistry, or nanoengineering. Animal handling experience preferable.
Desirable criteria:
- Practical experience and conceptual background in cellular immunology.
- Experience in animal (specifically mouse) handling.
- Experience in tissue culture
Will have Honours or Masters in either immunology, vaccines, microbiology, parasitology, biochemistry, or nanoengineering. Animal handling experience preferable.
Desirable criteria:
- Practical experience and conceptual background in cellular immunology.
- Experience in animal (specifically mouse) handling.
- Experience in tissue culture
To apply, please submit the following documents to Prof. Magdalena Plenbanski via [email protected] and Dr Kirsty Wilson via [email protected] .
- A copy of electronic academic transcripts
- A CV that includes any publications/awards and the contact details of two referees
To apply, please submit the following documents to Prof. Magdalena Plenbanski via [email protected] and Dr Kirsty Wilson via [email protected] .
- A copy of electronic academic transcripts
- A CV that includes any publications/awards and the contact details of two referees
Vaccines remain one of the most cost-effective medical interventions for the prevention of disease and are readily available for many diseases, however there is a need for vaccines to complex diseases such as malaria and cancer. Vaccines to complex diseases are more difficult to design and manufacture due to the complicated lifecycle of the pathogens that cause the disease, or the multifactor series of events that occur in not only the pathology of the disease but also the resulting immune response. Designing vaccines for complex diseases requires careful consideration of the candidate antigen and generally requires and adjuvant or alternative delivery system to enhance the immune response to the vaccine, particularly regarding inducing a T cell response.
Our lab focuses on viral sized nanoparticles as adjuvanting vaccine delivery systems to improve both the antibody mediated and cellular immune response. These nanoparticles can either have the vaccine antigen attached to their surface, or be simply mixed with the antigen with a combination of other adjuvants to increase the vaccine response. We are interested in nanoparticles of different materials and compositions to compare to our standard biocompatible and non-inflammatory polystyrene nanoparticles in animal vaccine models, as well as their mechanism of action and how they interact with different cells of the immune system (i.e. with antigen presenting cells).
Aims: This study aims to examine the immune response to vaccines using various nanoparticle formulations and adjuvant combinations and ex, aiming how they interact with cells of the immune system to generate a strong immune response, capable of protecting against severe diseases such as ovarian cancer or malaria.
Hypotheses: Nanoparticles in the viral size range will target antigen presenting cells in the local lymph nodes to elicit a strong vaccine induced immune response dependent on the size and composition of the nanoparticle. We will be able to develop vaccines that effectively prevent an treat severe diseases for which currently there are no effective vaccines.
Methods: Our laboratory uses new and standard cell biology/immunology techniques to assess the phenotype and function of immune cells from animal models, including; multicolour flowcytometry (up to 20 simultaneous markers on cells), cell sorting, multiplex cytokine analysis (Luminex), IVIS imaging, as well as ELISA, ELISPOT, immunohistology/immunofluorescence, proliferation and functional T cell assays. There is also potential scope to use RNAseq and epigenetic analysis of immune cell populations, and animal models of cancer and malaria.
Vaccines remain one of the most cost-effective medical interventions for the prevention of disease and are readily available for many diseases, however there is a need for vaccines to complex diseases such as malaria and cancer. Vaccines to complex diseases are more difficult to design and manufacture due to the complicated lifecycle of the pathogens that cause the disease, or the multifactor series of events that occur in not only the pathology of the disease but also the resulting immune response. Designing vaccines for complex diseases requires careful consideration of the candidate antigen and generally requires and adjuvant or alternative delivery system to enhance the immune response to the vaccine, particularly regarding inducing a T cell response.
Our lab focuses on viral sized nanoparticles as adjuvanting vaccine delivery systems to improve both the antibody mediated and cellular immune response. These nanoparticles can either have the vaccine antigen attached to their surface, or be simply mixed with the antigen with a combination of other adjuvants to increase the vaccine response. We are interested in nanoparticles of different materials and compositions to compare to our standard biocompatible and non-inflammatory polystyrene nanoparticles in animal vaccine models, as well as their mechanism of action and how they interact with different cells of the immune system (i.e. with antigen presenting cells).
Aims: This study aims to examine the immune response to vaccines using various nanoparticle formulations and adjuvant combinations and ex, aiming how they interact with cells of the immune system to generate a strong immune response, capable of protecting against severe diseases such as ovarian cancer or malaria.
Hypotheses: Nanoparticles in the viral size range will target antigen presenting cells in the local lymph nodes to elicit a strong vaccine induced immune response dependent on the size and composition of the nanoparticle. We will be able to develop vaccines that effectively prevent an treat severe diseases for which currently there are no effective vaccines.
Methods: Our laboratory uses new and standard cell biology/immunology techniques to assess the phenotype and function of immune cells from animal models, including; multicolour flowcytometry (up to 20 simultaneous markers on cells), cell sorting, multiplex cytokine analysis (Luminex), IVIS imaging, as well as ELISA, ELISPOT, immunohistology/immunofluorescence, proliferation and functional T cell assays. There is also potential scope to use RNAseq and epigenetic analysis of immune cell populations, and animal models of cancer and malaria.
For further inquiries please contact Distinguished Professor Magdalena Plebanski ([email protected] ) and Dr Kirsty Wilson ([email protected] ).
For further inquiries please contact Distinguished Professor Magdalena Plebanski ([email protected] ) and Dr Kirsty Wilson ([email protected] ).
Similar Positions
-
Scholarships Manager, University of Melbourne, Australia, about 10 hours ago
Job no: 0062214 Location: Parkville Role type: Full-time; Continuing Department/School: Student and Scholarly Services Salary: UOM 8 - $115,537 - $124,622p.a. plus 17% super Lead scholarship initi...
-
Manager Graduation, Fees And Scholarships, Swinburne University of Technology, Australia, about 7 hours ago
Prime opportunity to be a leader of student administration services HEW 8, Permanent, Full Time position in a central Hawthorn location Staff benefits include discount study fees and options for h...
-
Ph D Scholarship In Csiro Next Generation Graduate Program (Ai In Mental Health), Monash University, Australia, about 17 hours ago
PhD scholarship in CSIRO Next Generation Graduate Program (AI in Mental Health) Job No.: 664722 Location: Clayton campus Employment Type: Full-time Duration: 3.5-year fixed-term appointment Remune...
-
Ph D Scholarship Ct And Mri Multimodal Segmentation Of The Cochlea And Adjacent Anatomical Structures, University of Melbourne, Australia, about 11 hours ago
The University of Melbourne is a leading international university with over 160 years of experience in teaching and research. Located in the Greater Melbourne Area, the university is committed to ...
-
Impact Ph D Scholarship Social Licence To Operate For The Hydrogen Industry, Swinburne University of Technology, Australia, about 7 hours ago
Victorian Hydrogen Hub (VH2)/CQUniversity collaboration Full-time, fixed term role at CQUniversity campus in Gladstone, Queensland. $33,500 (2024 rate) p.a. for 3 years (with possible 6- month ext...
-
Ph D Scholarships (Next Generation Graduates Program): 1. An Internet Of Things Platform For Screening Digital Twin; 2. Ai Empowered Manufacturing Technologies For Screening Digital Twin, Swinburne University of Technology, Australia, about 7 hours ago
Department of Engineering Technologies This position is currently located at the Hawthorn campus. The incumbent must be willing to travel between and work at a range of locations Stipend $41,650.0...