Mucosal Immunology in Paediatric Inflammatory Bowel Disease

This project involves the translation of findings from mouse models of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) to human patients, both with IBD and healthy controls. This project explores novel targets for treatment in IBD, as well as exploring possible causes for IBD. By focusing on paediatric patients, we aim to better understand the development of the mucosal immune system and its relationship with the microbiota in early life, and how this can be disrupted in IBD. Currently there are two mouse models of colitis (IBD) with significant results supporting important new pathways for disease in IBD, and this project concentrates on using human samples (collected from endoscopy lists at Monash Children's Hospital and Monash Medical Centre) to move work from animal models to relevant patient samples.. This project will involve the handling of human samples (ethics already approved and some samples stored), and the use of such techniques as immunohistochemistry, flow cytometry and quantitative real-time PCR, as well as novel microbiome culturing and analysis. The lab has a strong record of training and supporting students regardless of previous laboratory experience.