Experimental Therapeutics Laboratory
A collaborative group involving scientists from the Sansom Institute and
the Hanson Institute, the Experimental Therapeutics Laboratory generates
research aimed at developing new therapeutics to prevent and treatdiseases
such as cancer, infection and autoimmunity.
With major projects in areas includingvaccine design, reproductive
immunology and tumour immunotherapy, the group was founded in 2003 and is
jointly headed by Dr John Hayball (Senior Lecturer, UniSA) and Associate
Professor Michael Brown (Senior Medical Oncologist, Royal Adelaide
Hospital).
Ourindustry experience and clinical expertise ensure that the research we
generate has a strong likelihood of resulting in real therapeutic outcomes,
with a direct and established path toward the clinical translation of
results.
The Experimental Therapeutics Laboratory is currently supported by funds
from the National Health and Medical Research Council, the Australian
Research Council, and the Cancer Council of South Australia, as well as
industry sources including Virax Holdings Ltd.
The Experimental Therapeutics Laboratory has an interest in understanding
the fundamental mechanisms involved in controlling the mammalian immune
response. We use this information in rational approaches to develop new
immuno- and oncological therapeutics. We are also interested in how the
mammalian immune system can influence reproductive success.
We have funded projects in the following areas:
Rational Vaccine Design
Researchers: A/P Dr Michael Brown (RAH, Hanson Inst), Dr Kerri Diener
(RAH, Hanson Inst), Erin Curry (PhD student, UniSA), Cara Fraser (PhD
student, UniSA), Anastasia Yu (PhD student, UniSA).
Funding: ARC, Virax Holdings and UniSA
Generic platform vector systems are being developed to provide for
customised vaccine responses which may prove useful in prophylactic and
therapeutic settings for the treatment of chronic and acute infectious
diseases, and for cancer.
Reproductive Immunology
Researchers: A/P Dr Sarah Robertson (UA), Lachlan Moldenhauer (PhD
student, UA), Leigh Guerin (PhD student, UA), DougalThring (Hons student,
UniSA), Dr Kerri Diener (RAH, Hanson Inst).
Funding: NHMRC
Understanding how the mammalian maternal immune system responds to the
developing conceptus may have benefits for enhancing successful pregnancy
outcomes and give fundamental insights into how the normal immune system
differentiates between foreign and self tissues, and responds accordingly.
Tumour Immunotherapy and Autoimmunity
Researchers: A/P Dr Michael Brown (RAH, Hanson Inst), Dr Kerri Diener
(RAH, Hanson Inst).
Funding: NHMRC, IMVS, RAH and CancerCouncilSA
Immunotherapeutic treatment regimes for cancer and autoimmune disorders are
being developed in established complex models of these diseases.
Recent Publications
1. Diener KR, Woods AE, Brown MP, Hayball JD. Transforming growth factor
b-mediated signaling in T lymphocytes impacts on prostate-specific immunity
and early prostate tumor progression. Lab. Invest. (Accepted).
JIF: 4.479
2. Moldenhauer LM, Diener, KR, Brown MP, Hayball JD, Robertson SA.
Cross-presentation of male seminal fluid antigens elicits T cell activation
in female preparation for pregnancy. J. Immunol. (Accepted). JIF:
6.068
3. Diener, K.R., E.L. Lousberg, E. L. Beukema, A. Yu, P. M. Howley, M.P.
Brown and J.D. Hayball. 2008. Recombinant fowlpox virus elicits transient
cytotoxic T cell responses due to suboptimal innate recognition and
recruitment of T cell help. Vaccine.26: 3566-3573.JIF: 3.377
4. Blake, S. J., A. B. Lyons, C. K. Fraser, J. D. Hayball and T. P. Hughes.
2008. Dasatinib suppresses in vitro natural killer cell cytotoxicity.
Blood.111: 4415-16.JIF: 10.896
5. Wong, M. X., J. D. Hayball and D. E. Jackson. PECAM-1-regulated
signalling thresholds control tolerance in anergic transgenic B-cells. 2008.
Mol. Immunol 45: 1767-1781.JIF: 3.742
6. Diener, K. R., L. M. Moldenhauer, A. B. Lyons, M. P. Brown and J. D.
Hayball. 2008. Human Flt-3 ligand-mobilised dendritic cells require
additional activation to drive effective immune responses. Exp. Hematol.36:
51-60.JIF: 3.147
7. Al-Ejeh F, J. M. Darby, K. Pensa, K. R. Diener, J. D. Hayball and M. P.
Brown. 2007. In vivo targeting of dead tumor cells in a murinetumor model
using a monoclonal antibody specific for the La autoantigen. Clin. Cancer.
Res. 13: 5519-27.JIF: 6.250
8. Fraser, C. K., K. R. Diener, M. P. Brown and J. D. Hayball. 2007.
Improving vaccines by incorporating immunological co-adjuvantsExp. Rev.
Vaccines.6: 559-578.JIF: 2.111
9. Beukema, E. M., M. P. Brown and J. D. Hayball. 2006. The potential role
of fowlpox virus in rational vaccine design. Exp. Rev. Vaccines. 5:
565-577.JIF: 2.111
10. Lees J. R., B. Charbonneau, J. D. Hayball, K. R. Diener, M. P. Brown, R.
Matusik, M. B. Cohen and T. L. Ratliff. 2006. T-cell recognition of a
prostate specific antigen is not sufficient to induce prostate tissue
destruction. The Prostate.66: 578-590.JIF: 3.674
Contact
Fore more information on the Experimental Therapeutics Laboratory, please
contact Dr John Hayball on:
Phone: +61 8 8
Email: john.hayball@unisa.edu.au