41 Australian and New Zealand Society ...
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
ASI NEWS JUNE 2019
DAY OF IMMUNOLOGY
APRIL 29TH P20
10
A GENTLE ADVOCATE,
41
ICB: DAY OF IMMUNOLOGY
CONTACT US
AUSTRALIAN AND NEW
ZEALAND SOCIETY FOR
IMMUNOLOGY INC.
AN INSPIRATION AND SPECIALS
ASI INC. SECRETARIAT
EDUCATOR
PO BOX 1371,
NEW WAYS TO SHOWCASE MITCHAM NORTH 3132
MARGARET BAIRD WOMEN IN RESEARCH AND TO MAKE IT PH: 03 8393 9388
IMMUNOLOGY AWARD MORE ACCESSIBLE immunology.org.au/contact-us
48th Annual Scientific Meeting of
The Australian and New Zealand
Society for Immunology
Adelaide Convention Centre, South Australia
8 - 12 December 2019
www.asi2019.org SAVE
THE
The Organising Committee cordially invite
you to participate in the 48th Annual Scientific 8
DATE
-12 D
Meeting of The Australasian Society for ece
ADEL mber 20
Immunology taking place from 8-12 AIDE 1
, SA 9
December 2019 in Adelaide, South Australia.
The Conference aims to provide
another innovative and dynamic scientific program.
We are putting together a varied and balanced program
spread over 5 days to showcase the best immunological research from
Australia and around the world. With a wide-range of topics from tumour
immunology, inflammation, autoimmunity, infectious disease, translational
immunology and more, we will ensure there is something for everyone.
Preparations are well underway and we anticipate an intellectually
Key Dates challenging time, as well as an enjoyable opportunity to experience
South Australia and its unique environment. The Organising Committee
Registration Open
are preparing an engaging social program to give you a flavour of South
3 May 2019
Australian culture and cuisine.
Call for Abstracts Open Adelaide is a modern, dynamic, vibrant and lifestyle city with direct access
3 May 2019 to Australia’s best wine regions and stunning scenery, making it an ideal
destination for pre and post-Conference touring. It is home to world-class
Call for Abstracts Close
restaurants, a diverse nightlife, stylish shops and more.
30 August 2019
We look forward to welcoming you to Adelaide!
Abstract Notifications
27 September 2019 Adelaide Convention Centre
The Adelaide Convention Centre is conveniently located in the heart of
Early-bird / Presenter Registration Close
the city centre and nestled within the beauty of the Riverbank Precinct,
4 October 2019
surrounded by parklands and the River Torrens.
Special Interest Group Workshops Close proximity to the medical hub, entertainment, cultural and sport
8 December 2019 precinct, the Centre is a short walk to international and boutique hotels
and accommodation. Public transport, the Adelaide Railway Station and a
ASI2018 Conference
taxi ramp are on our doorstep.
8 – 12 December 2019
ASI NEWSLETTER JUNE 2019
CONTENTS
EDITORIAL............................................................. 4 DOI IN VICTORIA.................................................. 21
Curiosity Begins from a Conversation Gabriela Khoury
Angelica Lau
DOI IN NSW......................................................... 25
LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT.......................... 6 Public Forum on Asthma, Centenary Institute...25
John Fraser Helen McGuire
NOTE FROM THE HONARARY SECRETARY ...... 7 DoI Museum of Human Disease at UNSW........26
Elissa Deenick Fabio Luciani
Day of Immunology: Garvan Discovery
WOMEN’S INITIATIVE ON THE MOVE ................ 9
Tour for school students......................................27
Kylie Quinn
Angelica Lau
A GENTLE ADVOCATE, AN INSPIRATION The Day of Immunology: Fake Wounds
AND EDUCATOR ..................................................10 and Vaccination Campaigns ............................. 30
Margaret Baird Women in Immunology Award Sinead Henderson, Richard Charlesworth
Kylie Quinn and Natkunam Ketheesan
STAY TUNED: VSP PROGRAM............................. 12 DOI SNAPS FROM SOUTH AUSTRALIA............ 32
Stuart Mannering
DOI SNAPS FROM NEW ZEALAND................... 33
BRANCH REPORTS.............................................. 14
WA Branch Report............................................... 14 DOI 2019 IN THE MEDIA....................................... 34
Bree Foley, WA Councillor Gabriela Khoury
QLD Branch Report.............................................. 16 TRAVEL REPORT................................................. 38
Sumaira Hasnain, QLD Councillor Keystone Symposium on B Cell-T Cell
Interactions, Keystone, Colorado, USA
VIC/TAS Branch Report....................................... 17
Oanh Nguyen
Scott Mueller, VIC/TAS Councillor
ICB: DAY OF IMMUNOLOGY SPECIALS.............. 41
NSW Branch Report............................................. 18
New ways of showcasing our content
Helen McGuire, NSW branch Councillor Anne La Flamme
NEWS FROM FIMSA............................................. 19 PUBLICATIONS OF INTEREST............................ 46
Joanna Groom Our Sustaining Members
DAY OF IMMUNOLOGY 2019.............................. 20 AUSTRALIAN AND NEW ZEALAND
Gabriela Khoury SOCIETY FOR IMMUNOLOGY INC..................... 49
9 20 38
WOMEN’S INITIATIVE DAY OF IMMUNOLOGY KEYSTONE SYMPOSIUM
ON THE MOVE This year events were ON B CELL-T CELL
A conversation is hosted at 23 participating INTERACTIONS
happening and I institutes around Australia
Dr Oanh Nguyen,
encourage you to be a and New Zealand.
University of Melbourne,
part of it.
03
EDITORIAL ASI NEWSLETTER JUNE 2019
EDITORIAL:
CURIOSITY BEGINS FROM A CONVERSATION
Angelica Lau, Newsletter Editor
newsletter@immunology.org.au
With the successful launch of
Day of Immunology celebrations
across Australia and New
Zealand on 29th April, what
better time is there than now
to engage and recruit new
generation of scientists? The
point of an outreach program
is no doubt to raise awareness
for immunology and medical
research, but more importantly it
serves the purpose of educating
the public about facts and myths
in research, interventions and
developments. These are golden
opportunities for us to clarify
any misconceptions surrounding
some of these important aspects
of medicine.
In this edition, it is my delight
to present to you the amazing
effort many volunteers and
fellow researchers have put in to
make this educational initiative a
reality. This is most fitting as ASI
have just launched the Margaret
Baird Women in Immunology
Award (read more about this in
the Women’s Initiative Program
section), to honor and celebrate
the legacy of Margaret Baird
who was a phenomenal teacher
and female scientist in the
Immunology community.
4
EDITORIAL ASI NEWSLETTER JUNE 2019
A new campaign to connect At the Studio: Artwork Submissions
you with the next generation
scientists out there through art
and conversation, to bring about
excitement and instill inspiration
wherever they are.
Carrying on with the same
enthusiasm, we have a new
campaign to connect you with
the next generation scientists
out there through art and
conversation, to bring about
excitement and instill inspiration
wherever they are. In order to
encourage regular conversations
about science between students,
parents, teachers, scientists,
we are now accepting artwork
submissions from school students
throughout years 1-12 featuring
these following themes: ARTWORK BY DAMIAN TANGYE, AGE 11, “THE B CELLS”. “DAD TELLS ME HE WORKS ON B
CELLS; AFTER DOING SOME READING THIS IS HOW I PICTURED A “B CELL” WOULD LOOK!”
• What makes up our immune
system?
• Tricking the immune system to
fight cancer
• How does our immune system
fight diseases?
• Autoimmunity: when the
immune system goes crazy
• Allergy: Bees, cheese to sneeze
We highly recommend ASI
members to encourage students
to participate and have their
artworks featured on ASI social
media and Newsletter.
So if you know any enthusiastic
children or students with an
unstoppable curiosity for science
(and Immunology in particular),
who loves to be creative – start
the conversation, check out the
Studio and turn science into art!
Submit now to newsletter@
immunology.org.au
ARTWORK BY CALLAN PHAN, AGE 12, PLASMA CELL IS COOL. ”I HAD TO DO A SCIENCE
PROJECT ON SOMETHING COOL AND MY DAD WORKS ON PLASMA CELLS, SO WE MADE A
PLASMA CELL TOGETHER. I GOT 10/10 FOR IT!”
5
PRESIDENT’S REPORT ASI NEWSLETTER JUNE 2019
LETTER FROM THE
PRESIDENT
JOHN FRASER, ASI President
president@immunology.org.au
Dear Colleagues, ASI Advanced Immunology small number of copies are being
School 22-25 July 2019 at Iluka printed anyway, most of which
Many will be aware of the efforts
Retreat. The theme for the 2019 probably went straight onto a
over the past 6 months to improve
AIS is ‘Immune Life’. There are 60 shelf. There is one added benefit.
the ASI web portal. Council has
places available with priority to Submitting authors will no longer
invested in the development of a
our new and emerging members be charged for colour images.
new portal that should go live by
and so far 45 places have been
mid-June. Our general manager, As part of the expanding Women’s
filled. It would be wonderful if
Tyani Chan, has been working Initiative programme we have
we could fill all the places. Thanks
tirelessly on this project and its launched the Margaret Baird
to all those who have organised
launch will coincide with the Women in Immunology Award.
this school and who are giving of
official change of our society name This exciting lecturer’s award is
their time to teach.
from Australasian to Australia and open to any ASI member who
New Zealand. It looks terrific and The IUIS 2019 conference in can demonstrate a commitment
most importantly has a modern, Beijing is shaping up well and to mentoring and support of
secure backend to handle the I’m sure many ASI members will women in science. Margaret was
be attending. We did note the a dedicated supported of ASI
This year we have launched a very poor gender balance in the and a model of enthusiasm and
tremendous new initiative -
list of invited plenary and major tireless support for young women
symposium speakers which scientists.
the ASI Advanced Immunology prompted a letter of concern from
School 22-25 July 2019 at Iluka ASI to the IUIS President, Alberto
Kind regards
Retreat. The theme for the 2019 Mantovani. John
AIS is ‘Immune Life’. I have sad news for those of you
who like to sit over coffee with
processing of our all-important
membership data. Thank you to
the latest edition of Immunology As part of the expanding
those members who have acted as
and Cell Biology. There will be no
Women’s Initiative programme
more print copies of ICB. Most
testers for the new site.
people now read the journal on-
we have launched the Margaret
This year we have launched a line while still drinking coffee and Baird Women in Immunology
tremendous new initiative - the avoiding keyboard spills. Only a Award.
Australian and New Zealand Society for Immunology Inc.
PO Box 1371, Mitcham North 3132 VIC
P: +61 3 8393 9388 W: immunology.org.au/contact-us
06
SECRETARY’S REPORT ASI NEWSLETTER JUNE 2019
IMPORTANT NOTE
FROM THE HONORARY SECRETARY
ELISSA DEENICK, Honorary Secretary
secretary@immunology.org.au
It’s been a while since I wrote streamlined. Some details about If you have more complex
a piece for the newsletter but those call follow below. questions about policy, council,
there’s been lots happening. awards etc these are the kinds of
Also I thought I’d take this
things I can answer.
We’ve had calls for International opportunity to clarify the
travel awards and bursaries for difference between the Honorary Award Information
IUIS going out earlier this year - secretary (currently me, Elissa
thanks for all your applications, Deenick) and the secretariat – International Travel Award
it’s always exciting to be able to something I found confusing prior A reminder that we now have
support our members traveling to to becoming secretary and I’m a second call for applications
present the work they’re doing. sure many other people do too. for the Gordon Ada Award. The
Coming up there will be calls for The Honorary secretary position
more awards – the Jared Purton, is an elected position on the ASI
another round of International executive and council. In contrast, A reminder that we now have
travel awards (postgrad, postdoc the secretariat is the company a second call for applications
and Gordon Ada) as well as the we employ to carry out a lot of for the Gordon Ada Award. The
new Margaret Baird award and the administrative matters for second-round call for Postgrad
bursaries to attend the Annual ASI. If you have questions about
and Postdoc awards continues
meeting which is being held your membership, payments,
due dates for applications etc –
unchanged. These applications
your first point of contact should will be due in September.
Coming up there will be calls for be the secretariat on admin@
more awards – the Jared Purton, immunology.og.au. If they can’t
second-round call for Postgrad
another round of International
answer your questions directly
and Postdoc awards continues
they can forward it to the most
travel awards (postgrad, postdoc appropriate person on council.
unchanged. These applications
and Gordon Ada) as well as the will be due in September.
new Margaret Baird award and I encourage all those planning to
bursaries to attend the Annual apply for an International Travel
If you have questions about
meeting which is being held in award to be thinking about
your membership, payments,
Adelaide this year.
those already and contacting
due dates for applications etc – labs/institutes that you might
in Adelaide this year. By then your first point of contact want to visit now. If you have a
our new website should be
should be the secretariat. well-planned itinerary it greatly
up and running and make the strengthens your application.
application procedure much more
7
SECRETARY’S REPORT ASI NEWSLETTER JUNE 2019
A reminder that the Jared Purton travel to carry out experiments engage in the ASI meetings
in another lab, money for but are still struggling to find
award is not just another travel pilot experiments, support for the money to attend. However,
award. This award really looks someone coming back from these awards will be judged
to fund things that are a bit parental leave etc separately from the 1-3 post-
different and don’t fit under PhD awards to make sure
Travel Bursaries for Annual
funding for other awards Meeting
that early postdocs are not
disadvantaged by this change.
I’m also pleased to let you know
Jared Purton Award that we’ve made a few changes to 2. We’ve included research
the bursaries to attend the annual assistants under the postgrad
Applications for the Jared Purton
meeting in Adelaide this year: bursary category. This was to
Award will be due in August.
recognise that we also have
A reminder that the Jared Purton 1. We’ve introduced a second members who are RAs who
award is not just another travel post-doc category for those also often travel to present at
award. Applications that read like who are 3-6 years post-PhD – our annual meetings.
a travel award application (e.g. I previously only those up to 3
want to go to a conference and years post-PhD were eligible. Margaret Baird Award
then travel to visit a few labs) are We made this change because This new award has just been
very unlikely to score well. This we recognised that many introduced – please see the
award really looks to fund things people, particularly those current updates in the Women’s
that are a bit different and don’t returning from an overseas Initiative column on page 10.
fit under funding for other awards postdoc, may be more than 3
e.g. Travel to learn a technique, years post-PhD and want to
OpenSPR
SPR Affordable Enough for Every Lab
OpenSPR is the world’s only benchtop surface plasmon resonance
(SPR) instrument. It provides high quality, label-free interaction analysis
for a fraction of the cost of existing solutions.
Enjoy an SPR instrument in your own lab
Measure real-time
Label-free binding kinetics
User-friendly
The easiest to use SPR interface
Protein A-IgG Binding Kinetics
Simple and robust.
No expensive maintenance contracts
Distributed by
In use by +500 Researchers Groups Worldwide
1 300 543 373
info@jlresearch.com.au
Jlresearch.com.au/OpenSPR
8
WOMEN’S INITIATIVE ON THE MOVE ASI NEWSLETTER JUNE 2019
WOMEN’S INITIATIVE
ON THE MOVE
KYLIE QUINN, Women’s Initiative Coordinator
kylie.quinn@rmit.edu.au
While our community has made kinds of speakers that we want to
If you want to contribute to the
development of formal policy on
progress with gender equity and hear from at IUIS2019, and at any
diversity, there are also reminders meeting.
that we are not “there” yet- Gender Equity and Inclusion for
there remains a lot of work to
ASI places a high value on
IUIS, contact the IUIS Secretary,
diversity, as outlined in our
be done. As noted in the John’s
Gender Equity and Inclusion
Roslyn Kemp.
president opening address in this
Policy. Given the discordance with
newsletter, for many of us seeing
our values, ASI tendered a formal Aotearoa/New Zealand, and our
the speakers announcement for
complaint to IUIS, alongside other definition of women includes
the IUIS2019 Conference showing
immunological societies. IUIS also cis women, trans women and
a lack of gender equity and a
places a high value on diversity femme/feminine identifying
lack of diversity in general was
and they responded to these genderqueer and non-binary
a disappointing and frustrating
complaints with transparency, folks. While this may have been
reminder. This truly is a cause that
an acknowledgement that the implicit in the goals of the
we must continue to fight for.
speaker line-up did not reflect Women’s Initiative, we thought
For the many female researchers their values and have pursued this that it is important to make it
out there this is more than issue with commitment to devise explicit too, on our Website,
a glaring inequity – it is a a formal policy on diversity and on our applications and to our
missed opportunity. Diversity inclusion. community. If there is anything
So, a conversation is happening else we can be doing to create a
more inclusive community, we
Diversity is a strength; it brings and I encourage you to be a part
would appreciate hearing from
new perspectives, it brings of it.
you.
creative solutions, it is dynamic If you want to contribute to the
and responds to the world development of formal policy on
around us rather than setting up
Gender Equity and Inclusion for Our goal is to support women
paradigms to be adhered to.
IUIS, contact the IUIS Secretary,
working within immunology in
Roslyn Kemp.
Australia and Aotearoa/New
is a strength; it brings new
To Those We Hope to Support Zealand, and our definition of
perspectives, it brings creative Finally, I wanted to clarify an women includes cis women,
solutions, it is dynamic and important point about the trans women and femme/
responds to the world around us purpose of the ASI Women’s
feminine identifying genderqueer
Initiative. Our goal is to support
rather than setting up paradigms
women working within
and non-binary folks.
to be adhered to. Those are the
immunology in Australia and
9
MARGARET BAIRD WOMEN IN IMMUNOLOGY AWARD ASI NEWSLETTER JUNE 2019
A GENTLE ADVOCATE,
AN INSPIRATION AND EDUCATOR
MARGARET BAIRD WOMEN IN IMMUNOLOGY AWARD
KYLIE QUINN, Women’s Initiative Coordinator
In the column for this quarter, I
find myself reflecting on notable
characters who have supported
equity and diversity within ASI,
how far we have yet to go and
what we can do to support equity
and diversity right now.
But first I wanted to put a
spotlight on a new, very special
award for ASI.
The Margaret Baird Women in
Immunology Lectureship
Immunology in Aotearoa/New
Zealand and ASI owes a great
debt to Professor Margaret
Baird. She was a co-founder
of Immunet, which is the local
branch meeting for ASI. She was
on the organising committee for
the first Tran-Tasman immunology
meeting, laying the groundwork
for ASI as we know it today. She
was a local ASI councillor and was
ASI Newsletter Editor for many
years. To recognise her many
contributions, Margaret received
the Derrick Rowley Medal in 2013.
Beyond her role in ASI, Margaret
was a rare individual. She was
an Emeritus Professor in the
Microbiology and Immunology
Department at Te Whare Wananga
MARGARET BAIRD
o Otago/the University of Otago.
For many years, she led a group
10MARGARET BAIRD WOMEN IN IMMUNOLOGY AWARD ASI NEWSLETTER JUNE 2019
Her commitment to and joy in to women immunologists and must demonstrate leadership in
to the immunology community supporting and mentoring women
the pursuit of new knowledge as a whole. Roslyn Kemp, Ries in immunology.
was clear to all of those Langley and a number of others
that worked with her. It was
For further details or questions,
then drove the establishment
please refer to the ASI website or
infectious... of a trans-Tasman lectureship-
email me directly at kylie.quinn@
the Margaret Baird Women in
rmit.edu.au.
Immunology Award.
Personally, I am so happy to see
focused on Dendritic Cell Biology This lectureship will be a series of
Margaret’s legacy recognised in
in infection models and cancer. guest lectures across Aotearoa/
this way and grateful to those
Her commitment to and joy in the New Zealand and Australia,
who organised it. I strongly
pursuit of new knowledge was focusing on the applicant’s
encourage you to apply for
clear to all of those that worked research, but also including
this award and, importantly, to
with her. It was infectious and it perspectives on equity and
encourage others to apply for this
was fully on display when, after balance in science careers.
award. I look forward to seeing
retiring, she took up a Research While not limited to applicants
the incredible candidates that are
Professorship in the Department that are women, applicants
highlighted in this process.
of Pathology with Prof Antony
Braithwaite- she just couldn’t
give up the pipette. Margaret
also taught many generations of
young immunologists. Those of
us fortunate to be her students
were treated with respect and
care while she guided us to reach
new heights in our careers- she
was an incredible teacher. She
achieved all of this because of her
wonderful character: intellectually
engaged, warm, open-minded, a
passionate advocate for science
and for women, and an inspiring
orator.
She was an incredible teacher.
She achieved all of this because
of her wonderful character:
intellectually engaged, warm,
open-minded, a passionate
advocate for science and women,
and an inspiring orator.
Margaret passed away in
September 2016, but it feels right
to remember her contributions to
our community with a celebration
of these last traits- her support of
women in research and her ability
to deliver an incredible talk. In
2017, the NZ-ASI AGM agreed to
propose a new award to ASI, to
highlight Margaret’s commitment
11ASI’S VISITING SPEAKER PROGRAM ASI NEWSLETTER JUNE 2019
STAY TUNED
UPCOMING VISITING SPEAKERS IN
AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND
STUART MANNERING,
Visiting Speaker Coordinator
smannering@svi.edu.au
Donna Faber have been major achievements visit, Victoria,
Hosted by David that have provided a basis for South Australia
Tarlinton, Monash the field to progress. Perhaps of and NZ. Mirjam
University. Donna greater significance is Donna’s will be here 6th
will visit Victoria, contribution to the 5-centre to 19th October.
NSW, ACT and program entitled “Tissue She will be visiting
Queensland. She arrives in compartmentalization of human Adelaide (6-
Melbourne on August 14th, after lymphocytes”, which is a truly 10/10), Melbourne (10-16/10) and
attending the IgV meeting on remarkable undertaking to map Auckland (16-19/10).
Friday 16th August she will travel lymphocytes to tissues over
Research Interests
to Sydney (18th, 19th Aug), then to the lifespan of humans using a
remarkable resource, tissues from Mirjam has made seminal
Canberra (20-21st Aug) and finally
organ donors. Part of this work contributions to two topics
to Brisbane (22-23rd Aug).
was published this year and last of immunology: B cells and
Research Interests year in Immunity and in the last Primary Immunodeficiencies
Donna has made seminal year in Science Immunology. It (PIDs). Mirjam has specific
contributions to two areas of is easy to see how this study is interests and expertise in V(D)
Immunology. One is in resident going to be the basis of many J recombination and the impact
memory T cells (Trm), a topic of future studies. Equally important of defects in this pathway on B
great interest to ASI members. is that Donna is particularly cell differentiation and function,
Her specific interests and interested in collaborating with with a focus on severe combined
expertise in localisation and groups that have an interest in the immunodeficiency (SCID)
function of Trm in the lung, and data she and her colleagues are and predominantly antibody
their requirement for anti-viral generating. deficiency (PAD). The most
responses have made important significant contributions to the
contributions. Equally her analysis Mirjam field were the identification of
of the transcriptional networks van der Burg four new candidate genes for
required for the development Hosted by Emily Edwards from PIDS (genes mutated in PIDs).
and activation of these cells Monash University. Mirjam will Two related to SCID and two
12ASI’S VISITING SPEAKER PROGRAM ASI NEWSLETTER JUNE 2019
related to PAD. Mirjam’s research insights into many disease states Michael Gerner
contributed to Erasmus MC being such as COPD, obesity, cancer, Hosted by
recognized as a Jeffrey Mondell and neurodegeneration. Cameron Bastow,
Foundation Centre for Excellence from University of
in PIDS in 2010. Kate Jeffrey
South Australia.
Hosted by Joanna Micheal will visit
Joachim Schultze Groom, from Melbourne from Monday 19th to
Hosted by WEHI, Kate will Friday 23rd August 2019. He will
Stephen Turner visit WEHI 6th be in Adelaide from Saturday 24th
from Monash August (VIC) August until he flies to Sydney
University. on Tuesday 27th August. He flies
Hudson Institute 8th August (VIC),
Joachim will home from Sydney on Saturday
Garvan 13th August (NSW) and UQ
visit Queensland, NSW, ACT and 31st August.
15th August (QLD)
Victoria. He arrives in Brisbane on
Research Interests Research interests
November 10th and leaves from
Adelaide after attending the ASI Dr Jeffrey has made Michael Gerner, has made
meeting. significant contributions to our a significant contribution to
understanding of the intersection the field of dendritic cell and
Research Interests
of chromatin accessibility, lymphocyte biology. He has
Prof Schultze is Director of established the analytical
epigenetics, non-coding RNAs
Genomics and Immunoregulation technique of histo-cytometry.
and transcriptional control in
research program, at the LIMES Briefly, histo-cytometry
innate immune cells and how
(Life and Medical Sciences combines the high-quantitative
dysregulation of these events can
Bonn) Institute at the University analysis and robust cell
lead to immunological disease.
of Bonn. In addition, he is the identification capabilities
Her publication record in multiple
Founding Director of the Single of flow cytometry with the
high impact journals reflects
Cell Genomics and Epigenomics spatial information provided by
her important contributions to
platform at the University of regular immunofluorescence
these fields. In particular, Kate
Bonn and the German Center imaging techniques. Utilising
is recognized for the discovery
for Neurodegenerative Diseases. this technology, Michael has
of the first inhibitor of the
Since 2018, he is also the Speaker published a number of high-
bromodomain and extra terminal
of the Bonn site of the newly impact papers in Nature, Cell,
(BET) family of epigenetic readers
formed West German Genome and Immunity centred around
and the demonstration of its
Center, a center with more than the precise microanatomical
protective effects in inflammation
70 groups focusing on genomics locations of immune cells and
(Nicodeme, Jeffrey et al Nature,
research. Furthermore, he is how this relates to their function,
2010, cited >950 times). This
the designated coordinator of information that is lost upon
manuscript laid the ground
the national NGS competence normal tissue dissociation
for what is now and extremely
network, funded by the German required for flow cytometry.
active area in both academia
Research Foundation (DFG). He Michael’s microspcopy expertise
and industry. The bromodomain
has a sustained track record in further branches out to include
inhibitor that was discovered by
developing new systems biology tissue clearing techniques which
Dr. Jeffrey in collaboration with
approaches for unravelling best preserve reporter protein and
GlaxoSmithKline is currently
complex transcriptional and fluorophore detection, whole-
in clinical trials. Now as an
epigenomic programs within organ confocal microscopy and
independent investigator, Kate
immune cell lineages. He as 2-photon intra-vital microscopy.
has discovered a novel immune-
applied these approaches
restricted epigenetic reader Paul Kubes
to generate paradigm shifts
protein, SP140, essential for
in our understanding how Hosted by Tonia Woodberry, ANU.
macrophage identity (Mehta et
transcriptional heterogeneity Paul’s trip has been delayed for
al, Science Immunology, 2017).
at a single cell level contributes personal reasons. We’re expecting
Importantly, mutations within this
to myeloid and lymphoid him to visit in 2020.
epigenetic protein associate with
immune cell differentiation and
3 immunological diseases: Crohn’s
development. He has also applied
disease, multiple sclerosis and
these approaches to gain new
CLL.
13BRANCH REPORTS ASI NEWSLETTER JUNE 2019
BRANCH REPORTS
WA BRANCH REPORT
BREE FOLEY, WA Councillor, Bree.Foley@telethonkids.org.au
Firstly, on behalf end of this year! unlock the reasons why allergies
of ASI WA I would are on the rise in Australia by
On Monday 29th of April, ASI
like to give a studying epigenetic changes in
WA held a public symposium to
huge thanks to our immune cells.
celebrate the Day of Immunology.
the outgoing WA
This was a fantastic afternoon of The audience was also treated
Councillor Dr
interesting and entertaining talks to an excellent talk from Dr
Connie Jackaman
from researchers across Perth. Alison McDonnell about how
who has done an absolutely
The audience was captivated important your immune system
amazing job over the past three
by Professor Peter Richmond’s is in patrolling your body looking
years! Her dedication to not only
presentation on vaccines and to eliminate cancer and shared
WA ASI but the whole of ASI
how important it is for us to her exciting research into new
is hugely admirable and I have
understand the immune response immunotherapies. Dr Demelza
very big shoes to fill as the next
and develop more advanced Ireland took the audience on
WA Councillor, but I’m looking
vaccines. Dr David Martino shared a thrilling journey through the
forward to the challenge.
his exciting research in trying to immunology of pregnancy and
Firstly, on behalf of ASI WA I
would like to give a huge thanks
to the outgoing WA Councillor
Dr Connie Jackaman who has
done an absolutely amazing job
over the past three years! Her
dedication to not only WA ASI
but the whole of ASI is hugely
admirable.
I would also like to thank all
the committee members who
were involved in organising a
very successful Annual Scientific
Meeting here in Perth late last
year. It was amazing to see so
many people volunteer their
time to making this event so
memorable and I know we’re all DR DAVID MARTINO TEACHING US ABOUT THE EPIGENETIC CHANGES CAN INFLUENCE THE
excited to head to Adelaide at the ONSET OF ALLERGIES.
14BRANCH REPORTS ASI NEWSLETTER JUNE 2019
just how critical the balance
between accepting the foetus and
rejecting the foetus really is.
The audience was also treated
to an excellent talk from Dr
Alison McDonnell about how
important your immune system
is in patrolling your body looking
to eliminate cancer and shared
her exciting research into new
immunotherapies. Dr Demelza
Ireland took the audience on
a thrilling journey through the
immunology of pregnancy.
PROFESSOR PETER RICHMOND GIVING HIS CAPTIVATING TALK ON VACCINE DESIGN
Lastly, I know every audience
member was riveted with
Ben Horgan’s presentation of
his experience as a consumer
advocate. Ben shared his
experience working closely with
researchers and how important it
is to actively involve consumers in
all aspects of research, something
I encourage all ASI members to
get involved with. A huge thanks
to our amazing student sub-
committee who organised the
event. Well done guys!!
The ASI WA branch has some
exciting events coming later
this year including the Perth
Immunology Group Meeting to
be held in October. I look forward
to providing more details soon on
these events and hope to see you
all there!
We always welcome any
feedback/suggestions from
our members and encourage
anyone interested in joining the
committee to please let us know!
A huge thanks to our amazing
student sub-committee who
organised the event. Well done
guys!!
15BRANCH REPORTS ASI NEWSLETTER JUNE 2019
QLD BRANCH REPORT
SUMAIRA HASNAIN, QLD Councillor, Sumaira.hasnain@mater.uq.edu.au
The ASI Queensland committee
is re-branding and we need your
help! Brisbane Immunology Group Advanced Immunology Course
Meeting: ASI-QLD supports the Advanced
You are invited
to design our Organising Committee: Sumaira Immunology Course (Diamantina
logo (think Hasnain, Ray Steptoe, Rajiv Institute) at the Translational
immunology, think Khanna, Kate Stacey, Margaret Research Institute, Brisbane.
QLD!). Jordan, Danielle Stanisic, Matt
Registrations and applications are
Sweet
The deadline for open now on:
submission is the 30th of June ASI-QLD is very excited to
www.di.uq.edu.au/advanced-
2019. announce the opening of
immunology-course
registrations for the Brisbane
The winning logo will receive Immunology Group Meeting to
$500 and a free registration the be held at the Sunshine Coast in
Brisbane Immunology Group August! You are invited to design our
Meeting.
Register now and submit your logo (think immunology, think
Send your entries to the ASI-QLD abstracts. QLD!).
councillor Dr Sumaira Hasnain www.qimrberghofer.edu.au/big/
Sumaira.hasnain@mater.uq.edu
16BRANCH REPORTS ASI NEWSLETTER JUNE 2019
VIC/TAS BRANCH REPORT
SCOTT MUELLER, VIC/TAS Councillor, smue@unimelb.edu.au
The Immunology 15-16th (see more below). Dr cancer” included speakers Mimi
group of Victoria Michael Gerner (University of Tang (MCRI), Benjamin Marsland
committee Washington), well known for (Monash Immunology) and
has seen a few imaging the immune system Misty Jenkins (WEHI), hosted by
members step off using ‘histocytometry’, is also Sammy Bedoui. Thanks to the
the committee, visiting in August. He will be local DoI organizing committee
including long- giving 3 talks: one at SVI on for all their hard work and to all
standing members Daniel August 20th (hosted by Stuart the sponsors of these events,
Andrews (Monash University) and Mannering), one at PDI on August including our gold sponsor CSL,
Daniel Layton (CSIRO), and Nick 21st (host by yours truly) and at and silver sponsors: ARC Centre
Huntington (Monash) and Bruce Monash BDI. And to continue for Advanced Molecular Imaging,
Lyons (University of Tasmania). our great VSP line-up, Professor Monash University and Federation
We thank them for their superb Joachim Schultze (University of University.
contributions over the years Bonn; hosted by Stephen Turner)
As we look towards the year
and wish them all the best for will be visiting in September; Dr
ahead, IgV will once again be
the future. In return, we warmly Kate Jeffrey (Harvard University;
holding a number of exciting and
welcome Kirsten Fairfax (Menzies hosted by Jo Groom) will also
engaging scientific events:
Institute for Medical Research come in September; and last but
and the University of Tasmania), not least, Dr Mirjam van der Burg 1. The Winter Seminar will be held
Guna Kurupiah (University of (Leiden University) will be coming on 21st June and we are very
Tasmania), Katrina Binger (LaTrobe in October (hosted by Emily pleased to have one of IgVs’
University), Dan Pellicci (Murdoch Edwards). founders and ASI Honorary Life
Children’s Research Institute, Member Andrew Lew (WEHI) as
MCRI) and Andrew Murphy (Baker this year’s speaker.
Heart and Diabetes Institute) onto
The Winter Seminar will be held
the committee. We also thank on 21st June and we are very 2. In August, we will be holding
our annual IgV scientific
student representatives Rosie pleased to have one of IgVs’ meeting (August 15-16th)
Millen (Victorian Comprehensive founders and ASI Honorary Life at Yarra Valley Lodge in the
Cancer Centre, VCCC) and Member Andrew Lew (WEHI) as Yarra Valley, with an exciting
Marios Koutsakos (Peter Doherty
this year’s speaker. line-up of international and
Institute, PDI) for their excellent interstate speakers. Speakers
contributions over the last year, In August, we will be holding our include Donna Farber (USA),
and welcome new students Taylah annual IgV scientific meeting Kristen Radford (Mater,
Bennett and Xavier Sng (Monash).
(August 15-16th) at Yarra Valley UQ), Michael Hickey, David
We have a busy year for ASI Lodge in the Yarra Valley Tarlinton, Laura Mackay, Kirsten
visiting speakers that was kicked Fairfax, Vanessa Bryant, Sarah
off by Dr Bob Seder (from the Londrigan, Karla Helbig and
NIH; hosted by Kylie Quinn) As I write this, another successful more!
whom gave a seminar at the series of Day of Immunology (DoI) 3. We will be holding the
VCCC on Feb. 20th and another events just wrapped up around 2019 IgV Masterclass on
at the Doherty Institute on the the state, including Discovery Neuroimmunology in October
22nd on Feb. He also spoke at Tours at MCRI, VCCC, PDI, WEHI, at WEHI. More detailed
the Lorne Infection and Immunity LaTrobe, Monash Immunology, information on speakers for
conference on Feb. 21st. Coming Monash BDI and the Hudson these events and registration
up, Professor Donna Farber Institute. Student Workshops will be announced soon.
(Columbia University) will be were held at GTAC (Parkville) and
visiting Melbourne in August, Federation University Berwick Stay tuned to Twitter (@
speaking at Monash and also as and Ballarat. Finally, a free public ImmunoGroupVic) and to email
a plenary speaker at our annual lecture on “An ABC of childhood announcements for more details
branch meeting on August immunity: allergy, bugs and and registration information
about these events.
17BRANCH REPORTS ASI NEWSLETTER JUNE 2019
NSW BRANCH REPORT
HELEN MCGUIRE, NSW Councillor, helen.mcguire@sydney.edu.au
Immunology of the year on a strong program September, get in touch with
is alive and of ASI Visiting Speakers and our me for further subsidies on your
well in NSW as branch retreat, the cornerstone ASI NSW/ACT Branch Retreat
evidenced by our event on our state immunology registration fee! At the moment
extensive Day calendar. we are able to extend a fully
of Immunology Upcoming VSP dates and complimentary registration to
Celebrations! This year saw us locations: students!
spread our reach far and wide in a
• Prof Donna Farber: seminar at And as always, please feel free to
concerted effort to involve more
Garvan Institute 19th August contact me if you would like to
of our great NSW state.
get more information or make any
• A/Prof Michael Gerner: visit
It was fantastic to see our suggestions for upcoming events
to University of Sydney and
Sydney based hosting centres (helen.mcguire@sydney.edu. au).
seminar at Garvan Institute,
accommodate visitors locally and It has been great to hear keen
28th/29th August
from wider afield! thoughts of ASI members.
• Prof Joachim Schultze: seminar
In the case of our Public Forum on
at University of Sydney,
Asthma, hosted by the Centenary
Institute, we also connected in
19th/20th November And for those NSW ASI members
by Zoom link up our colleagues in Branch retreat details: also planning to attend the
Newcastle (more in special report • 5th and 6th September 2019, World Congress on Inflammation
from me). Similarly, our school Sebel Harbourside, Kiama, NSW to be held in Sydney 15th to 19th
outreach ‘Face-time a Scientist’
*And for those NSW ASI members
September, get in touch with
me for further subsidies on your
event not only accommodated
3 student excursions directly to also planning to attend the World
the UNSW Museum, but also 4 Congress on Inflammation to ASI NSW/ACT Branch Retreat
schools across the state, in Bega, be held in Sydney 15th to 19th registration fee!
Coolah, Gulgong and Condobolin
were able to connected to our
immunologists via Zoom link
up (see special report on UNSW
Museum of Human Disease
events, from Fabio Luciani).
In the case of the Discovery
Tour at the Garvan Institute,
we accommodated visiting
students from Sydney catchment
as well as Newcastle (more in
Angelica Lau and Joanne Reed’s
special report). And for the first
time this year, we welcomed
involvement from our colleagues
in the New England region,
hosting their own educational
outreach activities in Armidale
(see special report Fake Wounds
and Vaccination Campaign for the
Day of Immunology from our UNE
colleagues).
With our Day of Immunology
events now taken care of, we’ve DOI OUTREACH IS EXPANDING IN NSW!
now set our sights for the rest
18NEWS FROM FIMSA ASI NEWSLETTER JUNE 2019
NEWS FROM FIMSA
JOANNA GROOM, groom@wehi.edu.au
Here is a brief update of the to attend as Senior Lecturer fellows and young faculty and
news from FIMSA. Faculty member for this Course. researchers.
Professor Gabrielle Belz from
Launch of new website. Many ASI members are preparing
WEHI, has taken up this position
to attend the 17th International
FIMSA has performed a complete and will join a great line up of
Congress of Immunology, which
redesign and relaunch of Speakers. FIMSA is also offering
is to be held in Beijing, China
the FIMSA.org website. The the 10 travel grants for FIMSA
19-23 October 2019. In May, ASI
development of the website society members to travel to
announced Special Travel Awards
update was led by the FIMSA and participate in this course.
to attend this meeting.
Secretary General and Chinese Applications were announced
Society for Immunology (CIS), in May and open to senior PhD ICI in Beijing is also the location
Xuetao Cao. This is a fantastic scholars, clinicians, postdoctoral for the next FIMSA Council
new resource to find information meeting.
and links for all current FIMSA
Immunology societies. The
website also features reports
from previous FIMSA courses and
links to upcoming conferences
and Advanced Courses in
Immunology.
This is a fantastic new resource
to find information and links for
all current FIMSA Immunology
societies.
Call for participation in FIMSA
events and travel bursaries.
It has been exciting to offer ASI
members several opportunities
to participate in upcoming FIMSA
events. The IUIS-IIS-FIMSA
Course in “Basic and Advanced
Translational Immunology is
taking place in Jaipur, India
12-16 October 2019. We had the
opportunity for one ASI member
19DAY OF IMMUNOLOGY 2019 ASI NEWSLETTER JUNE 2019
29TH APRIL
DAY OF
AUSTRALIA AND
NEW ZEALAND
IMMUNOLOGY
GABRIELA KHOURY, twitter.com@GabrielaKhoury
Day of Immunology Coordinator
gabriela.khoury1@gmail.com
Once again it is fabulous to see joined in the celebrations. In As with previous years our events
the growing interest from our collaboration with Wiley they continue to generate media
ASI members in engaging the created ‘Grandma Summaries’, opportunities. You can have a
public with immunology. This easy to comprehend summaries closer look at the articles and
year events were hosted at 23 of past ICB articles accompanied interviews which featured our
participating institutes around with a Videobyte. The summaries events in this issue at the “Day of
Australia and New Zealand. There were contributed by ASI members Immunology 2019 in the media”
were 5 public forums organised and ICB Associate Editors, I would and in the past bulletin and
including a Panel discussion co- recommend checking these out membership emails.
hosted with ‘Science in the Pub online linked here.
Congratulations to all of the
Adelaide’. Nine research institutes
In this issue I am excited to be organising committees and
and university Departments
announcing the winner of the thank you to all the volunteers
opened their doors to the public
Day of Immunology Science who contributed their time to
by running discovery tours.
Communication People’s Choice achieve another engaging Day
Multiple secondary school
Award. The posters were on of Immunology. To recognise the
workshops were held in Victoria
display at the Melbourne public hard work of our committees I
and NSW, including a new
lecture and the public voted on have submitted an application
workshop held in Armidale in
their favourites. The votes were to the IUIS International Day
collaboration with the University
close, with Chelsea Gerada’s of Immunology prize. Fingers
of New England (read about this
(University of Sydney) “Alien crossed, I will be updating you
in NSW’s DOI report). There was
vs Predator” taking the prize! with good news in the future!
also a museum exhibition, an
You can view the posters in the
expansion of “Face-time with a Enjoy reading the Day of
September’s issue and they will
Scientist” and an immunology pub Immunology featured articles
be posted on social media this
trivia night in New Zealand. and the photos from many of the
month where you can vote for
events in this issue! You can also
This year the editorial team at your favourite over the next 2
catch up online by checking out
Immunology and Cell Biology weeks.
#DoImmuno.
20DAY OF IMMUNOLOGY 2019 ASI NEWSLETTER JUNE 2019
DAY OF IMMUNOLOGY
IN VICTORIA
GABRIELA KHOURY
In Victoria, the team has about how the immune system
organised a great series of works by Prof Fabienne MacKay
engaging events that focus on (University of Melbourne) and Prof
educating the public and the next Phil Hodgkin (WEHI), followed by
generation of immunologists. laboratory practical classes which
The Melbourne Public Lecture included ELISA and microscopy.
is always popular and this year’s Students also enjoyed the highly
theme was exceptionally exciting engaging Careers in Science
- “An ABC of Childhood Immunity: networking session where
Allergy, Bugs, and Cancer”. The they discussed different career
three themes were covered by paths with students, academics,
Prof Mimi Tang (MCRI), Dr Ben bioinformaticians, industry
Marsland (Monash University), scientists and policy makers.
and Dr Misty Jenkins (WEHI)
The GTAC program was also run
respectively. Prof Mimi Tang
in Ballarat and students from
first discussed her research on
4 schools in Western Victoria
an experimental therapy that
is showing promising results in
inducing remission in peanut
allergy, followed by Prof Ben
Marsland who introduced how
the microbiome influences
our immune system; Dr Misty
Jenkins presented on Cancer,
and focused on her CAR T-cells
therapy research in paediatric
brain cancers. If you weren’t in
Melbourne and missed out you
can watch the lecture online
(Click here to listen to the public
lectures).
Over 4-days we ran Secondary
School Workshops in 3 locations, ABOVE: VICTORIAN COMMITTEE MEMBERS (LEFT TO RIGHT). FRONT: DR NICOLE MESSINA, DR
Parkville, Ballarat and Berwick. DARRYL JOHNSON, DR GABRIELA KHOURY (CHAIR), CATRIONA NGUYEN-ROBERTSON. BACK:
At GTAC in Parkville, students SCOTT REDDIEX, DR CHRIS HARPUR, DR CHRISTOPHE MACRI, DR DAN PELLICCI. ABSENT: DR
MARIA DEMARIA (SECRETARY), DR RHEA LONGLEY, DR ERIKA DUAN, DR TIM GOTTSCHALK,
participated in the 1-day GTAC
DR JESSICA BORGER, DR HUI FERN KOAY, DR CATARINA ALMEIDA, ANNABELLE BLUM, KAYLA
“Your body at war” program.
WILSON, A/PROF SCOTT MUELLER. PHOTO CREDIT: HYNESITE PHOTOGRAPHY
Year 12 biology students learnt
21DAY OF IMMUNOLOGY 2019 ASI NEWSLETTER JUNE 2019
travelled to Federation University Maria Demaria (Secretary), Dr Dr Jessica Borger, Dr Hui Fern
to participate. Prof Stuart Berzins Rhea Longley and Catriona Koay, Dr Catarina Almeida,
(Federation University) was the Nguyen-Robertson (Discovery Dr Nicole Messina, Annabelle
keynote speaker (Read more Tours), Dr Dan Pellicci (Public Blum, Kayla Wilson and A/Prof
about this event from “Day of Lecture), Dr Chris Harpur Scott Mueller and last but not
Immunology 2019 in the media” (Sponsorship), Dr Erika Duan and least, our GTAC Secondary School
column) and committee members Dr Tim Gottschalk (Secondary collaborators including Tony
Dr Erika Duan and Catriona School Workshops). Other notable Chiovitti (Deputy Director, GTAC)
Nguyen-Robertson discussed members: Dr Christophe Macri, and his team.
different career paths in science. Scott Reddiex, Dr Darryl Johnson,
A special thank you to our
The Berwick Secondary School Sponsors for supporting our many
program “Superheroes and Rogue events!
Units” designed by ASI members,
was run for the second time
this year. Forty Year 12 Biology
students had hands on laboratory
experience learning about disease
diagnosis by our volunteer
demonstrators. The students also
learnt about the immune system
by keynote speaker Dr Justine
Mintern (Bio21) and Careers in
Science by Dr Danielle Auldist ABOVE: CATRIONA NGUYEN-ROBERTSON
(Federation University). AND DR ERIKA DUAN AT THE GTAC
BALLARAT SECONDARY SCHOOL
Eight research institutes opened WORKSHOP WITH TONY CHIOVITTI
their doors to the public and (DEPUTY DIRECTOR, GTAC). PHOTO CREDIT:
hosted Discovery Tours during FEDERATION UNIVERSITY
May. The public and students
groups learnt about the institute’s
research and many people got
to try out their science skills by
look downing the microscope
and even perform the odd
ELISA! I would like to welcome
our newest host - the Murdoch
Children’s Research Institute -
into our Discovery Tour program
this year. I would also like to
thank our returning hosts and
their enthusiastic organising
committees at: the Peter
MacCallum Cancer Centre, the
Walter and Eliza Hall Institute, ABOVE: SOME OF OUR DEDICATED
the Peter Doherty Institute for DEMONSTRATORS AT THE GTAC PARKVILLE
SECONDARY SCHOOL WORKSHOPS. (LEFT
Infection and Immunity, the La TO RIGHT) LAKSHANIE WICKRAMASINGHE,
Trobe Institute for Molecular APRIL RAFTERY, DR TIMOTHY GOTTSCHALK,
Science, the Department of DR JESS BORGER, DARSHANA CHERIAN.
PHOTO CREDIT: HYNESITE PHOTOGRAPHY
Immunology and Pathology at
Monash University, the Hudson
Institute of Medical Research
and the Monash Biomedicine
Discovery Institute. ABOVE: SCIENCE CAREER LUNCH – SPEED
NETWORKING! PHOTO CREDIT: HYNESITE
Thank you to all my dedicated PHOTOGRAPHY
committee members, particularly
the sub-committee chairs: Dr
22DAY OF IMMUNOLOGY 2019 ASI NEWSLETTER JUNE 2019
ABOVE: DR ERIKA DUAN AND DR TIM GOTTSCHALK, CO-CHAIRS OF THE SECONDARY
SCHOOL WORKSHOPS DISCUSS CAREERS IN SCIENCE. PHOTO CREDIT: HYNESITE
PHOTOGRAPHY
ABOVE: DEPARTMENT OF IMMUNOLOGY
AND PATHOLOGY, MONASH UNIVERSITY
DISCOVERY TOURS. THE PUBLIC GOT
TO LEARN HOW TO PIPETTE, LOOK AT
MICROSCOPE SLIDE AND EVEN RUN AN
ABOVE: GTAC PARKVILLE SECONDARY SCHOOL WORKSHOPS, STUDENTS LEARN ABOUT ELISA! PHOTO CREDIT: DR JESS BORGER
HOW THE IMMUNE SYSTEM WORKS BY PROF FABIENNE MACKAY (UNIVERSITY OF (MONASH UNIVERSITY), DR RHEA LONGLEY
MELBOURNE) AND PROF PHIL HODGKIN (WEHI). PHOTO CREDIT: HYNESITE PHOTOGRAPHY (WEHI)
23ASI NEWSLETTER JUNE 2019
ABOVE: GTAC PARKVILLE SECONDARY SCHOOL WORKSHOPS, STUDENTS LEARN ABOUT HOW THE IMMUNE SYSTEM WORKS BY PROF
FABIENNE MACKAY (UNIVERSITY OF MELBOURNE) AND PROF PHIL HODGKIN (WEHI). PHOTO CREDIT: HYNESITE PHOTOGRAPHY
BELOW: MONASH BIOMEDICINE
DISCOVERY INSTITUTE TOUR. IMMUNE
SYSTEM SENSORY DISPLAY. PHOTO
CREDIT: THE MONASH BIOMEDICINE
DISCOVERY INSTITUTE
LA TROBE INSTITUTE FOR MOLECULAR SCIENCE DISCOVERY TOURS.
TOP LEFT: (L TO R) DR FUNG LAY, PRAMOD SUBEDI AND EBONY
MONSON, TOP RIGHT: (L TO R) PRAMOD SUBEDI, PROF. MARILYN
ANDERSON, DR GEORGIA ATKIN-SMITH, DR KHA PHAN AND PROF.
ANDREW HILL (DIRECTOR OF LIMS). BOTTOM: (L TO R) STEPHANIE
MARINIS AND KEATON CROSSE. PHOTO CREDITS: LATROBE
INSTITUTE FOR MOLECULAR SCIENCE
24ASI NEWSLETTER JUNE 2019
DAY OF IMMUNOLOGY
IN NSW
PUBLIC FORUM ON ASTHMA, CENTENARY INSTITUTE
HELEN MCGUIRE
On the 2nd May we gathered Teacher and Asthma Patient set the scene for sharing such a
at the Centenary Institute in Advocate on behalf of Asthma wonderfully personal story of her
Sydney to kick off the first of our Australia), Professor Vanessa continuous battle with crippling
two evening Public Events in McDonald (Co-director of the severe asthma. From here she
celebration Day of Immunology. NHMRC CRE in Severe Asthma, threw down the gauntlet for
This tremendously informative Deputy Director and Research the two remaining speakers to
discussion of asthma covered Leader in the Priority Research address clinical need and offer
three perspectives – patient Centre for Healthy Lungs and some hope through cutting edge
experience, clinical and research, an Academic Clinician in the research, of which Prof McDonald
and thoroughly engaged our Department of Respiratory and Prof Hansbro offered up in
audience. In addition, those and Sleep Medicine, John spades! A thoroughly enjoyable
curious audience members who Hunter Hospital.), Professor Phil evening, for attendees at
arrived for the welcome reception Hansbro (Deputy Director at the Centenary and who remote
eagerly stepped up to have their Centenary Institute and Director joined in from Newcastle- Hunter
lung function tested- myself of Centenary UTS Centre for Medical Research Institute.
included! Inflammation.) Special thanks to the speakers
and Karen McBrien from
I would sincerely like to first thank Gabrielle began by reminding us
Centenary Institute for helping
our three wonderful speakers: that “we often forget breathing is
organise.
Gabrielle Wenman (High School life”. Such a profound statement
ABOVE: OUR THREE SPEAKERS, GABRIELLE WENMAN, PROF PHIL HANSBRO AND PROF VANESSA MCDONALD, AND VANESSA WITH AN
AUDIENCE MEMBER GETTING HER LUNG FUNCTION TESTED
25DAY OF IMMUNOLOGY 2019 ASI NEWSLETTER JUNE 2019
DOI MUSEUM OF HUMAN DISEASE AT UNSW
FABIO LUCIANI
Face time with an immunologist
for high school students
As tradition of DoI in NSW, we
have run for the 6th year in a
row the “Face-time with an
Immunologist”. Dean Lovett,
director of the Museum of
Human Disease has established
a wonderful program with NSW
Schools. We took advantage of
this and ran 3 virtual and 2 live
events at the Museum, engaging OUR PANEL OF PHD STUDENTS AND POST DOC VOLUNTEERS IN ACTION DURING FACE-TIME
with 7 High Schools across WITH AN IMMUNOLOGIST.
NSW and with more than 200
students! This year we fabulously
put together 10 early career and tried to help answering these questions by telling their stories and
researchers, 9 PHD students more importantly by emphasising that it is not easy to find the right path
and one postdoc. Notably, 9 of and that lots of serendipity, passion, and talent need to go together.
these were females! This gender But most importantly, the joy of doing science! Students asked so many
representation was very helpful questions and provided feedbacks on how helpful this activity was for
as we had several girls from High them.
Schools interested in career paths
Engaging with general public
towards science.
We have also organised a public event at the Museum of Human
On May 6th and 7th, Y11 and Y12 Disease, where we discussed the scratch and itches with Dr Brynn
students engaged with several Weinstein, president of the Australian Society of Clinical Immunology
PhD students and early career and Allergy who is also an expert in paediatric food allergy. For this event
researchers (Caroline Ashley, approximately 30 people from the general community came to attend
Mikaela Coleman, Elinor Hortle the event. Dr Brynn showed some fascinating data, for instance, 8 types
from University of Sydney; Arun of food cause 90% of common allergies in children. More strikingly
Abayasingam, Brendan Hughes, he reported on recent statistics, putting Australia as the country with
Christine Fichter, Hannah Law, the highest prevalence of allergies and sadly of the highest death rate
Money Gupta, Nick Brasher, following anaphylactic shocks. People were surprised and amazed and
Thiruni Adikari from the UNSW asked so many questions that when time was up I had to sadly interrupt
Sydney) on how the Immune the event! Overall, it was a special day, which left the organisers with
system works and also to discuss satisfaction in having contributed to successfully divulgate immunology
career paths. This experience to the inquisitive students and to the general public.
aimed to provide support for
their study (HSC and syllabus) as
well as for providing “directions”
on what research is, how to best
choose their career path and
have a better understanding of
what research is and how this
can be helpful for the Society.
Students approaching HSC face
the dilemma of “what should I do
when I leave school?”, and “What
is immune systems and how this
fight pathogens and cancer”? The INVITED SPEAKER DR BRYNN WEINSTEIN GIVING AN EDUCATION SEMINAR ON PAEDIATRIC
panel engaged with the students FOOD ALLERGIES.
26You can also read
