Investigating immune cell changes in allergy

Allergy and atopic diseases are among the fastest growing chronic conditions in Australia, with 1 in 3 individuals affected by allergic disease and 1 in 10 infants experiencing food allergies. Furthermore, the incidence of severe allergies and the number of allergy-related hospitalizations has increased 4-fold in the last 20 years. In addition to representing major health issues in Australia, they impose a significant cost of $7.8 billion annually.

The cellular basis of allergic disease involves distinct but co-operating immune cell types: pathogenic T helper 2 (Th2) lymphocytes, which aberrantly produce excessive amounts of the cytokines interleukin (IL) IL-4, IL-5 and IL-13, and activated B cells that produce pro-allergenic IgE antibodies. However, it is unclear how dysfunction Th2 cells and IgE production can result in atopic dermatitis in one individual and food anaphylaxis in another, with some individuals displaying a whole spectrum of atopic diseases. One explanation is that there is substantial heterogeneity amongst Th2 cells and specificity of the IgE-producing B cells that mediate allergic responses.

To investigate this further, this project will look at immune cell changes in different cohorts of allergic individuals. This will include patients with food allergies only, atopic dermatitis only or food allergies and atopic dermatitis, compared to healthy age-matched controls. State-of-the-art techniques such as multiparameter flow cytometry, and bulk and single cell RNA-seq. The end goal is to have a better understanding of the pathogenesis of allergic disease and reveal novel targets for the treatment of these common and deliberating conditions. 

How to Apply

Express your interest in this project by emailing Associate Professor Cindy Ma. Include a copy of your CV and your academic transcript(s).