LEUCOCYTE BIOLOGY

• Staff
  • Laboratory Head
  • Research Staff
  • Students
• Goals
• Research Projects
  1. Characterisation of leucocyte surface molecules
  2. Applications of immunology in diagnosis and therapy

STAFF

Laboratory Head*

Deputy Laboratory Head

Research Staff

Affiliate Research Staff

Students

GOALS

To improve our understanding of leucocyte function through studies of leucocyte surface molecules, and to exploit immunological molecules as diagnostic and therapeutic targets.

RESEARCH PROJECTS

1. Characterisation of leucocyte surface molecules

Leucocyte surface molecules are important diagnostic and therapeutic targets. Examples include CD20, a target for antibody-based treatment of leukaemia, and CD3, used to identify and count T cells to monitor HIV-associated acquired immune deficiency. In 2003, when many immunologists thought that the majority of leucocyte surface molecules were already known, we estimated that 80% of leucocyte surface molecules remained to be discovered.

Having identified this opportunity to discover new diagnostic and therapeutic targets, we teamed up with groups with complementary skills in a concerted effort to discover and evaluate new targets. First in the Co-operative Research Centre (CRC) for Diagnostics, and now in the CRC for Biomarker Discovery, we and our CRC partners have identified new cell surface markers for cells of the immune system. During 2009 our NHMRC-funded collaboration with Simon Barry's Molecular Immunology lab has identified a number of potential markers for regulatory T cells, and we have started to make and evaluate monoclonal antibodies against these cells. The first of our new antibodies has been transferred to the CRC's Commercial partners for further evaluation.

The Human Leucocyte Differentiation Antigens Workshop, an international collaboration which has involved up to 200 laboratories from 40 countries. The 8th HLDA Workshop was run from our Lab, and we continue to play a major role, including hosting the organisation's web site (see www.hcdm.org).

2. Applications of immunology in diagnosis and therapy

In order to be able to evaluate and apply newly-discovered molecules, we are developing a collaborative network with diagnostic and therapeutic companies, pathologists and scientists.

We have continued earlier studies in collaboration with colleagues in the hospital's Haematology/Oncology Department and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit to develop better ways to diagnose sepsis in new-born babies and in children on chemotherapy for cancer.

We have a collaborative, NHMRC funded joint project with the Adelaide University/WCHRI Molecular Immunology Laboratory. This project, led by Simon Barry, focuses on regulatory T cells, which keep immune responses under control.

We started a project with Dr. Christina Boros, the Head of Rheumatology at CYWHS, characterising T cell subtypes in synovial fluid and peripheral blood from patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA).

We have contributed immunological assay expertise to one of the nutritional trials funded by NHMRC in WCHRI's Child Nutrition Research Centre, and to a project on asthma in pregnancy led by Dr. Vicki Clifton from the University of Adelaide.

The Leucocyte Biology Lab provides core expertise in antibody technology and flow cytometry to other WCHRI Labs as needed. In addition to NHMRC-supported collaborations with the Child Nutrition group and the Molecular Immunology Lab, we have provided antibody skills to the Wound Healing Lab and flow cytometry skills to several WCHRI Laboratories.

As new antibodies emerge from the discovery studies we aim to expand our network of clinical collaborations in order to establish the utility of these potential diagnostic and therapeutic agents.

*During 2009 Prof. Zola also held the position of Research Director for SA Pathology, the Government agency providing diagnostic services, and incorporating a substantial collection of Research Centres and Units. This role initially occupied 40% of his time, and more recently 80%. WCHRI appointed Dr. Krumbiegel as Deputy Lab Head to maintain momentum in the Leucocyte Biology Lab.