Our Supporters
The power of our supporters in advancing health globally
In 2023, the Doherty Institute made notable advancements in infectious disease and immunity. Our supporters have empowered our dedicated staff to pursue the Institute’s visionary work, from receiving awarding philanthropic grants to engaging with our collaborative efforts across the globe. This support has facilitated scientific progress and played a crucial role in nurturing the next generation of research leaders.
The COVID-19 pandemic put the spotlight on the pivotal role of researchers and public health experts, highlighting their critical contributions to safeguarding public health and societal well-being. As we continue to experience the far-reaching implications of the pandemic, it has become increasingly evident that investing in the growth and development of these bright minds and their work is paramount.
I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to our donors and supporters for their invaluable contributions. With their generous support, we remain committed to exploring innovative approaches and developing practical solutions to address complex global health challenges.
Kind Regards,
- Martyn Myer AO, Chair of the Doherty Council
Cutting-edge immunology research backed by inaugural CASS Foundation Daniel Rechtman Research Award
In 2023, the University of Melbourne’s Dr Susan Christo, a Postdoctoral Researcher in the Mackay Lab became the inaugural recipient of the Daniel Rechtman Research Award from the CASS Foundation.
(L-R: Tamara Abraham, Dr Susan Christo, Daniel Rechtman, Professor Sharon Lewin, David Abraham and David Aitken)
(L-R: Tamara Abraham, Dr Susan Christo, Daniel Rechtman, Professor Sharon Lewin, David Abraham and David Aitken)
A philanthropic organisation founded in 2001, the CASS Foundation supports and promotes the advancement of education, science and medicine, and research and practice in those fields. The Daniel Rechtman Research Award was established to mark the 20th anniversary of the commencement of the CASS MedSci grant program in 2002 and to celebrate Daniel Rechtman’s role as the inaugural Chair of CASS.
Dr Christo’s research project, ‘Investigating the radioresistant properties of cancer-specific resident T cells,’ aims to uncover how some immune cells found in melanoma can evade radiation therapy during cancer treatment. Dr Christo hopes this new knowledge will inform the development of innovative therapies that could keep cancer-fighting immune cells alive during treatment, ultimately reducing the amount of radiation therapy needed by patients.
The Doherty Institute’s Advancement team spoke to Dr Christo to learn more about how philanthropic support from the CASS Foundation has enabled her groundbreaking work.
Dr Susan Christo
Tell us a bit about yourself and your research background.
"I am an immunologist, specialising in the study of the immune response to various diseases, including infections and cancer. My focus is on a unique type of immune cell called 'T cells', which are crucial for combating threats such as viruses, bacteria and cancerous cells. Specifically, I research a subtype of T cells known as ‘tissue T cells’, which reside exclusively in our organs and do not circulate in the blood. These immune cells are particularly powerful because they live in areas like the skin, lungs, and gut—organs that are directly exposed to the environment.
Our research delves into all aspects of tissue T cells, and we have discovered a unique superpower: they do not die when exposed to irradiation like other immune cells. This exciting finding holds potential for improving responses to radiotherapy in cancer patients, offering new avenues for treatment and better health outcomes."
Why are you passionate about immunity and T cell research?
"We often take our immune system for granted, only paying attention to it when we fall ill. Yet, our immune cells are always on duty, vigilantly guarding against threats. My passion lies in unravelling the behind-the-scenes dynamics of our immune responses, both when it functions perfectly and when it falters. How does a sophisticated network of immune cells protect every part of our body from countless threats? And why, at times, does this system malfunction, leading to disease?
These compelling questions drive my passion for studying immunity, particularly T cells. Delving into the intricate biology of T cells has directly translated into clinical advances, such as improved vaccines and cutting-edge cancer therapies like immune checkpoint blockade (e.g. anti-PD-1). This demonstrates that our work has a real chance to improve the lives of many people."
How has receiving the Daniel Rechtman Research Award impacted your research and career?
" The generous funding from the CASS Foundation has made a significant difference to my research and career. It has allowed me to conduct exciting experiments on T cell responses to radiotherapy, present our results to the community and mentor young scientists. This support has boosted recognition for my work and expertise, attracting additional research funding, including a prestigious NHMRC Fellowship that will allow me to further advance our research into clinical outcomes."
What is your hope for the future outcomes and possibilities of your work?
"We aim to provide fundamental insights into T cell biology, which may have implications for other immune cells and an array of diseases. We hope our work will advance the knowledge of how T cells respond to irradiation, with the goal of designing a drug that can reduce the negative side effects of radiotherapy to improve cancer patients’ quality of life.
I would like to extend my deepest gratitude to the generous donors who support research like mine. Your contributions are not only an investment in scientific progress but also a profound commitment to improving human health. Thanks to your support, I have been able to make substantial strides in understanding immune responses, mentoring the next generation of scientists and raising awareness of our science to the wider community. Your generosity has empowered me to pursue innovative research that holds the promise of better treatments and outcomes for many."
Featured in the media
Learn more about Dr Christo’s research by exploring her recent features in a range of media outlets:
Doherty Institute and SK bioscience join forces against influenza
Home to one of five WHO Collaborating Centres for Reference and Research Influenza globally, the Doherty Institute is part of a network of organisations who monitor and analyse circulating influenza strains, contributing to the development of the next annual seasonal influenza vaccines for use across our region.
In 2023, to further support research in influenza vaccines and antivirals, the Doherty Institute signed a research collaboration agreement with vaccine and biotech company SK bioscience, based in South Korea.
This milestone, celebrated in a virtual signing ceremony, reflects a shared commitment to tackling infectious diseases and promoting public health.
"By collaborating with SK bioscience, we will strengthen our ability to respond to global challenges through exchanging knowledge and fostering innovation. Together, we will make a lasting impact in the prevention and treatment of infectious diseases, like influenza, around the world.”
"We expect a synergy combined with our capability in developing the world's first quadrivalent cell-culture based influenza vaccine and the infrastructure of the Doherty Institute, a leading research institution on global infectious diseases. We will strengthen global partnerships with various organisations and continuously expand cooperative areas to establish a response system against infectious disease pandemics in the world.”
Key areas of the collaboration include capacity-building in low and middle-income countries of the region and the development of a new influenza vaccine platform.
By the end of 2023, the impact of this collaboration agreement was evident. Travel grants were awarded to 12 researchers from countries such as Fiji, Papua New Guinea and Timor Leste, amongst others, to attend the Australian Influenza Symposium (AIS) held at the Doherty Institute.
The AIS serves as a platform for scientists worldwide to convene, share insights and discuss advancements in influenza research. The 12 scholars attended the symposium and presented a speech or poster on their research, providing valuable career and professional development opportunities. By showcasing their work, the researchers were able to receive feedback from their peers and fellow experts and establish themselves within the global scientific community.
“Being quite new to the influenza space myself, I appreciated the range of talks. The presentations on burden of the disease (something we are trying to do in Fiji too), the insights in the emerging vaccines/combi vaccines, and the epidemiology of respiratory diseases, like influenza, were really interesting. It was a well-rounded selection of talks. I also enjoyed the panel discussion on One Health (something we are also trying to improve in Fiji) and how contextualising things is important, based on a certain country's capacity, needs and priorities.”
Looking ahead, the Doherty Institute is excited to continue this collaboration with our South Korean colleagues, fostering a long-term partnership that will be crucial to address global health challenges.
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