Project: Understanding how SARS-CoV-2 Spike antigen leads to myocarditis
Subbarao Group
The COVID-19 pandemic catalysed the most rapid vaccine development in history, with mRNA vaccines at the forefront of those efforts. However, mRNA-based COVID-19 vaccines have been associated with reports of myocarditis in young males shortly after vaccination. Using human stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes from male and female donors, this project aims to establish how SARS-CoV-2 S antigen affects cardiac function and drives immune responses and whether the findings extend to human coronavirus and influenza mRNA vaccines. Understanding the molecular basis for this phenomenon is important to mitigate vaccine-associated adverse events.
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Subbarao Group
4 vacancies
Research in the Subbarao laboratory focuses on respiratory viral diseases of global importance including pandemic and seasonal influenza and coronaviruses including SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) and human coronaviruses. We study virus biology and pathogenesis, airborne spread of respiratory viruses, immune responses to infection and vaccination, and antiviral drugs. We use state of the art techniques in virology, molecular biology and immunology, including reverse genetics, infection of stem cell derived tissues and studies in animal models.
Subbarao Group Current Projects
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Defining the placental response to SARS-CoV-2 infection
PhD/MPhil, Master of Biomedical Science
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Studying virus-host interactions using complex in vitro respiratory culture systems
PhD/MPhil, Master of Biomedical Science, Honours
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Defining the role of secreted mucins in seasonal human coronavirus infection
Master of Biomedical Science, Honours
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Understanding how SARS-CoV-2 Spike antigen leads to myocarditis
Master of Biomedical Science, Honours
Research degrees at the Doherty Institute are administered by the University of Melbourne.