Project: Defining molecular mechanisms underlaying lymphocyte dysfunction in vaccine failure
Kedzierska group
Seasonal influenza vaccination programs are highly effective at a population level, but our data from vaccination cohorts reveals that 40% of individuals do not seroconvert following immunisation, despite eliciting cellular immune responses. The underlying mechanisms are not clear. We conducted the 10x Genomics single cell RNA sequencing using PBMC from Australian and Hong Kong vaccination cohorts. Phenotypes of single-cell transcriptomes were used to define the landscapes of Tfh, T and B cells in vaccine-responders and vaccine-failures. We identified differentially expressed genes in influenza vaccine-responders and non-responders. In this project, these key immune correlates will be tested for their role in driving protective or failed responses to vaccines. and the outcomes can be subsequently used to inform rational design of future improved influenza vaccines. Using cutting-edge human immunology, this project will dissect the mechanisms of how protective immune responses are generated following vaccination. The outcomes can be subsequently used to inform rational design of future improved influenza vaccines.
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Kedzierska group
2 vacancies
The Kedzierska group has a strong international profile in human immunology, with a major focus on universal broadly-protective immunity to pandemic, avian and seasonal influenza A and influenza B viruses as well as SARS-CoV-2 infection. Our main goal is to identify key protective correlates of recovery from severe respiratory disease in high-risk groups, including children and the elderly, and to understand mechanisms underlying generation of optimal immunity to respiratory infections versus perturbed immunity in vulnerable populations, including pregnant women. In particular, we are interested in generating long-lasting immunity elicited by killer T-cells recognising conserved viral regions. Our work intends to improve vaccine and therapeutic designs to protect against severe viral infections, including influenza and COVID-19, with possible applications to other infectious diseases and tumours.
Kedzierska group Current Projects
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Defining key mediators of life-threatening disease across emerging and re-emerging viral infections
PhD/MPhil, Master of Biomedical Science, Honours
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Defining molecular mechanisms underlaying lymphocyte dysfunction in vaccine failure
PhD/MPhil, Master of Biomedical Science, Honours
Research degrees at the Doherty Institute are administered by the University of Melbourne.