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Atopy-related immune profiles are subject to genetic influence as evaluated using school-aged twin pairs

The interaction of genetic and environmental contributions to immunological traits and their association with atopic disease remain unclear. Flow cytometry and in vitro cytokine responses were used to characterize immune profiles from 93 school-aged twin pairs. Using an established twin pair analytical strategy, the genetic and environmental influences on immunological traits were evaluated, along with their association with atopy. Our findings suggest strong genetic influence on several traits, particularly B cell abundance. In contrast, cytokine responses from in vitro stimulations appeared mainly shaped by environmental exposures.

Beneficial health effects of ultraviolet radiation: expert review and conference report

Carcinogenic effects of ultraviolet radiation (UVR) with reference to skin cancer are the basis of widely implemented recommendations to avoid sun exposure. Whether the benefits of "restrictive sun policies" outweigh their potential harms due to diminished beneficial effects of sunlight exposure remain a matter of controversy.  

Neonatal sepsis: a systematic review of core outcomes from randomised clinical trials

The lack of a consensus definition of neonatal sepsis and a core outcome set proves a substantial impediment to research that influences policy and practice relevant to key stakeholders, patients and parents.

Making a SmartStart for peanut introduction to support food allergy prevention guidelines for infants

Food allergy affects up to 10% of Australian infants. It was hypothesized that if parents follow the Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy guidelines, Australian food allergy rates may stabilize or decline.

Protection against severe infant lower respiratory tract infections by immune training: Mechanistic studies

Results from recent clinical studies suggest potential efficacy of immune training (IT)-based approaches for protection against severe lower respiratory tract infections in infants, but underlying mechanisms are unclear.

Tissue-resident memory T cells in the era of (Neo) adjuvant melanoma management

Tissue-resident memory T (TRM) cells have emerged as key players in the immune control of melanoma. These specialized cells are identified by expression of tissue retention markers such as CD69, CD103 and CD49a with downregulation of egress molecules such as Sphingosine-1-Phosphate Receptor-1 (S1PR1) and the lymphoid homing receptor, CD62L.

Role of stem cell precursors in tissues

We have recently published a paper identifying precursor populations in peripheral lung (2017), and have also discovered that these populations can be found in multiple tissues.

Attenuation of maternal inflammatory responses during pregnancy to promote normal immune and behavioral outcomes in the offspring

This study will identify how the immune system contributes to neurodevelopmental outcomes and will investigate the use of an agent from traditional medicines.

The impact of Influenza infection during early life on immune development

This study will investigate the why disease is worse in infants and how early life viral infection impacts the developing immune system.

Mapping changes in immune cell populations in gestational tissues over the course of pregnancy

This is a strategic “pilot” project in which we are seeking basic information on the immune cell content of gestational tissues.