Peter Doherty Institute

Robustifying Approximate Bayesian Computation

Approximate Bayesian computation (ABC) is one of the most popular "likelihood-free" methods. These methods have been applied in a wide range of fields by providing solutions to intractable likelihood problems in which exact Bayesian approaches are either infeasible or computation...

Dual Host–Pathogen Screening of the Lung During Severe Influenza Using Spatial Transcriptomics

ABSTRACT Here, we assessed whether spatially resolved capture of polyadenylated mRNA permitted simultaneous screening of host and viral responses in situ. Fresh‐frozen lung samples from mice infected with H1N1 influenza A strain, PR8, were processed via genome‐wide, spatial trans...

Specific targeting of MR1-antigen complexes using nanobodies

T cell receptor mimic (TCRm) antibodies that bind peptide–human leukocyte antigen complexes have great therapeutic potential. Major histocompatibility complex class I–related protein 1 (MR1) exhibits limited polymorphism and presents conserved metabolites, such as 5-OP-RU, derive...

The anthropogenic fingerprint on emerging infectious diseases

Abstract Emerging infectious diseases are a hallmark of the Anthropocene 1,2 . Human-driven ecosystem changes and human–wildlife–livestock contact can drive the emergence of zoonotic and vector-borne diseases 3–5 , but how much these processes shape landscapes of outbreak risk is...

Functional antibody responses and protection against symptomatic dengue

Exposure to dengue virus (DENV) triggers the development of anti-viral antibodies that may contribute to either protection or disease progression. Antibodies exist in different isotypes and subtypes, with diverse specificities and functions. IgG antibodies are produced during pri...

Interrogating the Escherichia coli Epitranscriptome Via CRISPR Interference and Nanopore Native RNA Sequencing

Epitranscriptomics has recently gained significant momentum due to technological advances and translational applications; however, studies on bacterial RNA modifications remain limited. Bacterial RNA is notoriously prone to degradation, and methodologies to investigate the epitra...

Identification of immunodominant ERV peptides critical for anti-metastatic immunity in a model of TNBC

Abstract The integration of immunotherapy into neoadjuvant treatment for triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) has improved outcomes in some patients. Pre-clinical investigation of immunotherapy resistance in the aggressive 4T1 TNBC model has been hampered by a lack of known tumou...

Advances in Organoid Technology: Bridging the Gap Between Research and Therapy

Organoids Are Us is a symposium series that provides a snapshot in time of the latest and emerging developments in organoid technology [...]

Exploring the functions of NKG7 in CD4+ and CD8+ T cells during malaria

Malaria, caused by Plasmodium parasites, is a significant global health issue. CD4 + and CD8 + T cells are important for immunity against Plasmodium infections, but the specific roles of many immune-related effector molecules in T cells remain poorly defined. Here, we investigate...

Technology meets time: assessing the impact of clinical decision support tools for viral hepatitis in primary care (the HepLOGIC pilot and feasibility study)

Lack of diagnosis and management of hepatitis B and C in Australia contribute to the increasing burden of liver cancer and other adverse outcomes for those affected. The Hep atitis and l iver cancer o utcomes in g eneral practice: an i ntervention c ollaboration (HepLOGIC) study...

Understanding community knowledge, attitudes and practices related to participation in household transmission investigations during infectious disease outbreaks

Abstract Background The World Health Organization has developed several global template protocols for epidemiological investigations, including for household transmission investigations (HHTIs). These investigations facilitate rapid characterisation of novel or re-emerging respir...

Pre-existing systemic and nasal antibodies against avian H5 influenza A viruses vary according to childhood imprinting

Avian influenza A viruses (IAVs) pose a constant pandemic threat, with the recent 2.3.4.4b clade of the H5 subtype causing high pathogenicity and spreading across animal species and geographic locations. Understanding human pre-existing immunity to avian H5 IAV can inform on popu...

Reconciliation of titer differences between SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibody assays

ABSTRACT SARS-CoV-2 antibody neutralization is a correlate of protection for COVID-19 and has been used to guide public health decisions. However, there is no standard neutralization assay, and absolute titers differ between assays. To investigate mechanisms causing these absolut...

The ageing immune system and its battle with viruses

Graphical Abstract Virus-specific immunity and correlates of protection change across human life: children encounter first infections/vaccinations when they are immunologically naïve, whereas cumulative exposure histories in older adults shape their immunity.

Clearance of Treponema pallidum from oral and anal sites after treatment of secondary syphilis: results from a multi-centre, prospective, cross-sectional study

Background Syphilis is increasing worldwide, and secondary syphilis may represent its most infectious stage. Scarce data exist on Treponema pallidum clearance after treatment. We aimed to determine the frequency and load of T. pallidum mucosal shedding, and time to clearance foll...

Skuas as sentinels of high pathogenicity avian influenza H5N1 on the Antarctic Peninsula in the 2024/2025 austral summer

Despite Antarctica's geographic isolation, the first incursion of high pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 was detected in the 2023/2024 austral summer. Surveillance for HPAI H5N1 in Antarctica remains patchy due to logistical, financial and infrastructure challenges, with...

Chemovaccination with a late-liver-stage antimalarial induces durable immunity against malaria

Plasmodium falciparum sporozoite vaccines, in which parasites are attenuated at the liver stage, provide high efficacy but require complex manufacture and intravenous administration of high sporozoite doses. We found that a single low-dose P. berghei sporozoite exposure (intraven...

Metabolic reprogramming enables transient survival and envelope remodelling in Staphylococcus aureus under dalbavancin treatment

Clinical failure of antibiotic therapy can occur in the absence of measurable resistance, yet the biological basis of this discordance remains poorly understood. Here, we identify a transient survival phenotype that limits dalbavancin efficacy and may contribute to treatment fail...