Feb 2016 – Feb 2020 (QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute)
Characterising the role of a novel transmembrane protein in inflammation
Under the supervision of: Prof. Christian Engwerda, Dr. Fiona Amante, Prof. J. Alejandro Lopez, Prof. Kathy Andrews, Prof. James McCarthy
In collaboration with: Prof. Mark Smyth, Prof. Geoff Hill, Prof. Alan Baxter
Techniques include flow cytometry, cytometric bead array (CBA), and the use of experimental mouse models of malaria, leishmaniasis, and colitis to investigate the role of a novel transmembrane protein in inflammation. Part of this project includes the development of a monoclonal antibody targeting this protein.
Feb 2016 – Feb 2020 (QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute)
Defining the transcriptomic signature of CD4+ T cells during L. donovani infection
Under the supervision of: Prof. Christian Engwerda, Dr. Fiona Amante, Prof. J. Alejandro Lopez, Prof. Kathy Andrews, Prof. James McCarthy
Techniques include bioinformatics analysis of RNA-sequencing (from mapping reads to a genome to differential gene expression analysis and pathways analysis) and microarray data (differential gene expression), data visualisation, qPCR validation of target genes, and functional validation of target genes using CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing in primary human T cells.
Dec 2015 – Aug 2017 (QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute)
Identifying differential mechanisms of regulation in distinct cellular sources of tumour necrosis factor (TNF)
Under the supervision of: Prof. Christian Engwerda, Dr. Fiona Amante, Prof. J. Alejandro Lopez, Prof. Kathy Andrews, Prof. James McCarthy
Feb 2014 – Nov 2017 (QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute)
Characterising the role of group 1 innate lymphoid cells (ILCs) during Plasmodium infection
Under the supervision of: Prof. Christian Engwerda, Dr. Fiona Amante, Prof. J. Alejandro Lopez, Prof. Kathy Andrews, Prof. James McCarthy
Techniques include animal handling (experience in scruffing, ear-marking, intraperitoneal and intravenous injections, and oral gavage), processing human and mouse blood to isolate peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), preparation of single cell suspensions from mouse spleen and liver with experience in liver perfusion, magnetic activated cell sorting (MACS) and panel design and optimisation to identify a rare population of lymphocytes by flow cytometry.
Sept 2013 – Oct 2013 (Griffith Institute for Drug Discovery (GRIDD), Griffith University)
Profiling the antimalarial action of anti-cancer histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors
Under the supervision of: Prof. Kathy Andrews
Techniques included culturing of P. falciparum, aseptic technique, saponin lysis and preparation of protein lysates, as well as assessing the effect of selected drugs on parasite hyperacetylation, which involved SDS-PAGE and western blot.