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Ways to remove disease-causing plasma cells

Description 
Plasma cells produce antibodies making them important for protection from infectious diseases. However, sometimes antibody responses go awry and target self-proteins, causing auto-immunity. In recent work, we discovered a series of genes associated with plasma cell longevity, and many of these overlap with genes elevated in an auto-immune mouse model that exhibits plasmacytosis and antibody-dependent disease. Here, we propose to test the survival requirements of plasma cells on these genes using drug screening. Mice in which plasma cells can be timestamped, will be treated with drugs against specific proteins and their surviving numbers will be assessed thereafter. The student will gain experience with mouse handling, flow cytometry, oral presentations, writing and statistical analyses.
Essential criteria: 
Minimum entry requirements can be found here: https://www.monash.edu/admissions/entry-requirements/minimum
Keywords 
antibody, plasma cell, B cells, immunology, cancer, vaccination, vaccine, vaccines, immunization, mRNA, scSeq, survival, BCL2, BCLXL, BCLW, A1, MCL1
School 
School of Translational Medicine » Immunology and Pathology
Available options 
Masters by research
Time commitment 
Full-time
Physical location 
Alfred Centre99 Commercial Road, South Yarra, VIC
Co-supervisors 
Prof 
David Tarlinton

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