Microbiology and Immunology
Recent Deposits
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Characterising T cell responses to chitosan hydrogel vaccines in an orthotopic mouse model of colorectal cancer
Anti-tumour T cell responses have a critical role in determining patient outcome in colorectal cancer (CRC). However, the generation of favourable immune responses in humans is poorly understood. Mouse models of CRC often ... -
The Effect of Raw and Processed Bovine Milk Consumption on Immune Responses in Allergy and Health
A large body of epidemiological evidence shows that children who consume raw bovine milk in early life have reduced incidence of allergies and asthma in later life; while consumption of heat-treated, or processed milk, ... -
Characterisation of genes involved in exopolysaccharide biosynthesis and transport in the Mesorhizobium loti strain R7A
Rhizobia are bacteria that are important in fixing gaseous nitrogen into a plant-available form via a symbiotic interaction with leguminous plants. In order for this to occur, the legume and the rhizobia must communicate ... -
Bioavailability and biological effects of isothiocyanates from broccoli sprout powder
Broccoli sprout powder (BSP) is a rich source of glucosinolates that can be hydrolysed to isothiocyanates by enzyme myrosinase when the powder comes into contact with water. The major isothiocyanate produced in broccoli ... -
Transcriptomic and Proteomic Approaches to the Analyses of Orf Virus and its Ankyrin Repeat Proteins
In common with other poxviruses, orf virus (ORFV) is believed to induce drastic changes in the host intracellular environment through expression of an arsenal of virulence factors. The ankyrin repeat (ANK) proteins are ... -
Understanding antimicrobial and antiseptic resistance relationships in Staphylococcus aureus
Staphylococcus aureus is an opportunistic pathogen that causes skin infections, bacteraemia, and endocarditis in humans. In New Zealand, the common lineage of S. aureus is the ST1 lineage which harbours a fusidic acid ... -
Developing Plasmodium cynomolgi culture as a model to investigate antimalarial effects on Plasmodium vivax
The ability to culture pathogenic organisms enables researchers to understand the biology of the organism which aids in the development of vaccines and drugs. Hence the establishment of the protocol for the in vitro ... -
Antibacterial properties of lactic acid bacteria for meat bio-preservation
Some lactic acid bacteria (LAB) are capable of growing on stored meat and inhibiting pathogenic and spoilage bacteria of concern to the meat industry using a range of mechanisms including general competition and/or the ... -
Inhibitory Receptor Expression by T Cells in Colorectal Tumours
Inhibitory receptor (iR) expression is a hallmark of T cell dysfunction. In situations of chronic antigen exposure, such as in a tumour, antigen-specific T cells undergo a shift in programming, which makes them more ... -
Investigations into the roles of two flavoproteins in mycobacterial physiology
Members of the genus Mycobacterium contain species that are adapted to thrive under a wide variety of environmental conditions. A key factor in the life cycle of mycobacteria is their ability to persist in the absence of ... -
Understanding the genetic basis for competitive nodule formation by clover rhizobia
Clovers enter a symbiotic relationship with particular rhizobia through a highly specific and complex signal exchange culminating in the formation of nitrogen-fixing root nodules. Legumes exude flavonoids that are perceived ... -
Investigation of Orf virus resistance to interferon
The interferon (IFN) effector response is induced in cells through the JAK/STAT signaling pathway by type 1, type 2 and type 3 IFNs. This results in the upregulation of hundreds of genes, many of which are involved in ... -
BCG impact on Innate Lymphoid Cells: Determining the Site of Proliferation
Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious lung disease that is a major cause of mortality, causing an estimated 1.7 million deaths globally per year. The current prophylactic vaccine used against TB, bacille Calmette Guérin (BCG), ... -
Disarming tissue factor: generating a model tumour antigen
Coagulative abnormalities are a well-recognised feature of malignancy. The risk of developing thrombotic disorders is increased four-fold in cancer patients and more than six-fold higher in those receiving chemotherapy. ... -
Investigating Teixobactin Tolerance in Enterococcus faecalis
The rapid rise of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) poses a global threat to human health. Key to combating antimicrobial resistance will be to increase our understanding of how resistance develops. Conventional antimicrobial ... -
Characterisation of a phase-variable restriction-modification system in Enterococcus faecalis
The gastrointestinal colonizer Enterococcus faecalis is an opportunistic, multi-drug resistant pathogen and a leading cause of nosocomial infections. Vancomycin- resistant enterococci (VRE) are of particular concern and ... -
Identification of AH1-specific T cells in a mouse model of colorectal cancer
Colorectal cancer (CRC) causes approximately 1.4 million new cases of disease and 700,000 deaths worldwide annually. To overcome limitations of studying CRC in humans, mouse models are used to test therapeutics such as ... -
MR1 surface expression on primary blood cells and their role in mucosal associated invariant T (MAIT) cell activation
Mucosal-associated invariant T (MAIT) cells are innate-like T lymphocytes that bridge the innate and adaptive immune systems to provide rapid effector responses against a broad range of bacteria. MAIT cells are characterised ... -
Investigating cellular remodelling events induced by the oncolytic Seneca Valley Virus
Cancer is a worldwide problem affecting millions of people. Typical cancer treatments are often very toxic and have a range of negative side effects. A new field of cancer research that may provide new cancer therapies is ... -
Genetic Determinants of Host-Specificity in Mesorhizobium loti NZP2037
The establishment of a successful symbiotic interaction between rhizobia and their respective legume hosts involves complex molecular interactions between the two prospective partners. The determinants behind the specificity ...