Study level

  • Honours

Faculty/School

Topic status

We're looking for students to study this topic.

Research centre

Supervisors

Dr Samantha Dando
Position
Lecturer in Clinical Microbiology
Division / Faculty
Faculty of Health

External supervisors

  • Dr Michelle Boyle (QIMR-B)

Overview

The lifelong viral infection cytomegalovirus (CMV) has broad influence on the human immune system. Some studies in young adults have suggested that these CMV mediated changes can enhance responsiveness to vaccination and infection. How CMV infection impacts immunity to malaria parasites is unknown.

This project will leverage previous experimental human malaria infection trials to investigate whether CMV infection modifies innate and adaptive immune responses following malaria.

Aims

  1. Investigate whether CMV infection impacts innate immune responses (monocytes, DCs, gamma delta cells and NK cells) to malaria parasites in vitro and ex vivo following experimental human malaria infection.
  2. Identify the impact of CMV infection on the development of parasite specific adaptive immunity (CD4 T cells and antibodies), following experimental human malaria infection.

Research activities

You will learn advanced human immunology techniques. Core skills developed will include spectral flow cytometry, R, and human immune systems analysis.

Outcomes

This project will identify the impact of CMV on malaria innate and adaptive immunity. Data will contribute to future publications from the research group.

Skills and experience

You should have a strong interest in human immunology and infectious diseases. Experience in flow cytometry and R highly advantageous but not required.

Scholarships

You may be eligible to apply for a research scholarship.

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Keywords

Contact

Contact the supervisor for more information.