The Viral Immunity Group is focused on understanding the host-pathogen interaction of human RNA viruses (hepatitis C, norovirus, dengue, influenza, SARS CoV-2). We have made several seminal discoveries in the topics of virus transmission and characterisation of protective immune responses against RNA viral infections. We take a “systems” approach to investigate virus and host determinants of protection using cutting-edge methods, including full viral genome sequencing and assays to characterise the surface phenotype and to sequence the single cell transcriptomes of virus-specific B cells (scRNAseq). We have also developed several assays to assess whether the antibodies produced by these antigen-specific B cells can protect against infection. The group aims to shift the current paradigm of our understanding of the genesis of protective antiviral immunity and provide new insights into vaccine design. The group works closely with clinicians to provide access to unique human cohorts and specimen sets.
Current projects
Our current projects focus on characterising Hepatitis C (HCV) Transmitted/Founder viruses, understanding the host-viral interaction during acute HCV infection, exploring the dynamics of host-viral interactions in HCV re-infection, and determining panels of immunogenic HCV envelope antigens through transmission pairs and bioinformatics methods. This work will help guide the development of broadly neutralising antibodies in an HCV vaccine. Our projects also extend to researching broadly neutralising antibodies against emerging variants of SARS-COV-2 and investigating autoantibodies present in patients with COVID-19. Furthermore, we are in the process of developing new methods and models to study the human immune response, including a tonsil organoid model.
Our experts
Rowena Bull - Group Leader
Prof Rowena Bull is a research scientist with expertise in immunovirology based in the School of Medical Sciences and the Kirby Institute for Infection and Immunity at the University of New South Wales. Prof Bull obtained her PhD in 2008 and is internationally recognised for her work on RNA viruses. Prof Bull is a current NHMRC Investigator funded to understand how best to train the immune response to tackle genomically diverse RNA viruses such as SARS-CoV-2, hepatitis C, dengue, and Influenza. Prof Bull has led the development of several new high-throughput next generation sequencing (NGS) tools for both RNA viruses and host immune transcripts. More recently Prof Bull, with a team of bioinformaticians, has developed flow cytometry-based methods for concurrent isolation and characterisation of the entire transcriptome and antigen-receptor of virus-specific single B cells.
Team members
- Dr. Arun Abayasingam
- Ms. Hui Li
- Dr. Lok Bahadur Shrestha
- Mr. Jordan Stoddart
- Ms. Sarah Su
- Dr. Melanie Walker
- Ms. Elham Jamali
- Ms. Eloise Kershler
Research Theme
Microbiome, Infection, Immunity and Inflammation |