The structural basis for recognition of HLA-E by both innate and adaptive immune systems. [ 2006 - 2007 ]

Research Grant

Researchers: Prof Andrew Brooks (Principal investigator) ,  Prof Jamie Rossjohn

Brief description Biochemistry and structural biology can be used to understand and visualize the three dimesional shape of molecules and the way they interact with other molecules. We will use these approaches to understand how various cells of the immune system recognise the protein HLA-E. This protein is normally present on the surface of healthy cells while it frequently retained inside both tumours and cells infected with viruses. This acts a signal for the immune system to kill these cells. However to avoid being recognized by the immune system some viruses have developed ways to maintain HLA-E expression. This grant will attempt to understand exactly how the immune sytem recognizes HLA-E and how it discriminates between HLA-Eexpressed by healthy cells compared with HLA-E expressed by a virus-infected cell.

Funding Amount $AUD 206,255.54

Funding Scheme NHMRC Project Grants

Notes Standard Project Grant