The importance of IgA in the protection and control of infectious diseases

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  Project Leader
  Dr Amy Chung

  awchung@unimelb.edu.au

  View researcher's webpage

  +61 3 8344 1717

Project Details

The human body produces more IgA than any other immunoglobulin, especially in mucosal secretions. However, the importance of IgA in both protection from HIV-1 and control of HIV-1 disease progression is highly controversial. Results from the only protective human HIV vaccine trial associated plasma IgA with reduced vaccine efficacy. In contrast, recent studies suggest that mucosal HIV-specific IgA may be protective. This project aims to further explore the mechanisms behind both the protective and immunomodulatory role of IgA in the control of HIV-1 and other infectious diseases.

Researchers

Kevin J Selva, Research Officer

Ester Lopez, Research Assistant

Samantha Davis, PhD student

Collaborators

Professor Stephen Kent, University of Melbourne

Professor Anthony Kelleher, Director, Kirby Institute, UNSW

Associate Professor Kelly Arnold, University of Michigan

Research Opportunities

This research project is available to PhD, Masters by Research to join as part of their thesis.
Please contact the Research Group Leader to discuss your options.