Regulation of Interferon and Innate Signalling
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Macrophage and bacteria
Overview
The Regulation of Interferon and Innate Signalling Research group continues to focus on understanding the molecular regulation of immune responses to infection, inflammation, and cancer, which requires a systems approach.
The interferon (IFN) family of cytokines, which is a key regulator of immunity, is central to these processes. IFNs are produced in response to pathogen recognition by toll-like receptors (TLRs) and other receptors of ‘danger’ signals activated by infection or other cell death signals.
IFNs protect cells from viral infection, activate all effector cells of the immune response and can inhibit tumour cell growth. However, in certain situations, IFNs can be pro-inflammatory and have dose-limiting toxicity as therapies for viral infections and other clinical conditions, which can lead to autoimmune disease. Therefore, an understanding of IFN regulation, how and why IFNs are produced in different circumstances, how IFNs signal differently in different cells, and the discovery of mechanisms to regulate these effects selectively, are vital.
TLRs and IFNs use well-characterised signal transduction pathways such as NF-κB, IRF and STATs. However, there are other relatively uncharacterised transcription factor pathways such as the ETS factors, which scientists and students in the team are currently characterising. Furthermore, since cytokines do not act in isolation, scientists in the Regulation of Interferon and Innate Signalling group is interested in the cytokine environment in which IFNs and other factors operate.
Diseases we research
Research Group Head | Professor Paul Hertzog
Ovarian cancer is the tenth most common cancer in Australia, and a silent killer. My research focuses on our discovery of IFNε as a very effective natural tumour suppressor in ovarian cancer, with the aim of developing new therapeutics that can reverse that process and improve survival rates.
![Professor Hertzog's research focus is on IFNε as a natural ovarian cancer tumour suppressor, with the aim of developing new therapeutics.](https://www.hudson.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/069_Annual-Report-Lab-shots_20170313-400x400.jpg)
Meet the team
![Dr Nicole de Weerd is a member of the Regulation of Interferon and Innate Signalling Research group in the Centre for Innate Immunity and Infectious Diseases.](https://www.hudson.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/Nicky-deWeerd_Featured-Image.jpg)
![Dr Edward Giles is a member of the Regulation of Interferon and Innate Signalling Research group in the Centre for Innate Immunity and Infectious Diseases.](https://www.hudson.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/Ed-giles-work-e1667879446737-400x400.jpg)
![Dr Natalia Sampaio chosen for the 2021 Hudson Institute Emerging Leaders program.](https://www.hudson.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/headshot-400x400.jpg)
![Dr Nicole Campbell, Postdoctoral Scientist, Regulation of Interferon working on ovarian cancer and interferon at Hudson Institute](https://www.hudson.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Nicole-Campbell-400x400.jpg)
![Dr Eva Chan is a member of the Centre for Innate Immunity and Infectious Diseases at Hudson Institute of Medical Research.](https://www.hudson.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Eva_Chan-400x400.jpg)
![Dr Hani Hosseini Far is a member of the Centre for Innate Immunity and Infectious Diseases at Hudson Institute.](https://www.hudson.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Hani-Hosseini-Far-400x400.jpg)
![Dr Le (Christy) Ying is a member of the Regulation of Interferon and Innate Signalling Research group in the Centre for Innate Immunity and Infectious Diseases.](https://www.hudson.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Le-Ying_Featured-Image-400x400.jpg)
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![Dr Jamie Gearing is a member of the Regulation of Interferon and Innate Signalling Research group in the Centre for Innate Immunity and Infectious Diseases.](https://www.hudson.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/Jamie-Gearing_Featured-Immage.jpg)
![Jodee Gould is a member of the Regulation of Interferon and Innate Signalling Research group in the Centre for Innate Immunity and Infectious Diseases.](https://www.hudson.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Jodee_Gould-400x400.jpg)
![Antony Matthews is a member of the Regulation of Interferon and Innate Signalling Research group at Hudson Institute.](https://www.hudson.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/Award-winners-Kadir-Fatimah-John-Donges-1-400x400.jpg)
![Georgie Wray-McCann is a member of the Regulation of Interferon and Innate Signalling Research group in the Centre for Innate Immunity and Infectious Diseases.](https://www.hudson.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/IMG_2479-400x400.jpg)
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![Sarah Straub is a member of the Centre for Innate Immunity and Infectious Diseases at Hudson Institute of Medical Research.](https://www.hudson.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/IMG_9637-400x400.jpg)
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