Alison West

Areas of interest

Research group

Biography

Dr Alison West is a postdoctoral researcher who has a long-standing career in innate immunity and inflammation. Her main expertise lies in exploring the mechanism of action of immune-modulating therapeutics prior to clinical use. Dr West’s work has led to the use of several immunotherapies in clinical trials for hard-to-treat diseases. Her primary interest is in the development of new therapies to treat respiratory diseases, such as the flu, particularly in older people who are highly vulnerable to severe complications from these infections.

Dr West began her career at the University of Tasmania before undertaking her PhD in the lab of Professor Ricky Johnstone at the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre. Her PhD uncovered that some chemotherapies require the immune system to work, and that combining chemotherapy with immunotherapy can boost their efficacy. She has been at the Hudson Institute of Medical Research for 10 years and has been supported by an NHMRC Early Career Research Fellowship during this time. Dr West has strong links with Industry, Academia and the Hudson Community.

View Video | Dr Alison West and Associate Professor Michelle Tate discusses Influenza

Publication highlights

Rosli S, Ambrose RL, Harpur CM, Lam M, Hodges C, Barry KT, West AC, Mansell A, Lawlor KE, Tate MD. Gasdermin E deficiency limits inflammation and lung damage during influenza virus infection. Cell Death and Disease. Jun 6;16(1):440 (2025). PMID: 40481027
Lam, M, Barry KT, Hodges CJ, Harpur CM, Ong JDH, Rosli S, West AC, Dousha L, Hertzog PJ, Mansell A, Tate MD. NLRP3 deficiency abrogates silica-induced neutrophil infiltration, pulmonary damage and fibrosis. Respir Res. Mar 21;26(1):109. (2025). PMID: 40119408.
West AC*, Harpur CM*, Le Page MA, Lam M, Hodges C, Ely LK, Gearing AJ, Tate MD. Harnessing endogenous peptide compounds as potential therapeutics for severe influenza. Journal of Infectious Diseases. Aug 16;230(2):e384-e394. (2023). PMID: 38060822.
Harpur CM*, West AC*, Le Page MA, Lam M, Hodges CJ, Oseghale O, Gearing AJ, Tate MD. Naturally derived cytokine peptides limit virus replication and severe disease during influenza A virus infection. Clinical and Translational Immunology Mar 23;12(3):31443. (2023). PMID:36969366.
Rosli S, Harpur CM, Lam M, West AC, Hodges C, Mansell A, Lawlor KE, Tate MD. Gasdermin D promotes hyperinflammation and immunopathology during severe influenza A virus infection. Cell Death and Disease. Nov; 14(11): 727. (2023). PMID: 37945599.
West AC, Martin BP, Andrews DA, Hogg SJ, Banerjee A, Grigoriadis G, Johnstone RW and Shortt J. The SMAC mimetic, LCL-161, reduces survival in aggressive MYC-driven lymphoma while promoting susceptibility to endotoxic shock. Oncogenesis Apr 4;5:e216 (2016). PMID: 27043662.
West AC*, Tang K*, Tye K, Yu L, Najdovska M, Lin SJ, Balic JJ, Okochi-Takada E, McCormack W, Bhathal PS, Reilly M, Oshima M, Ushijima T, Tan P, and Jenkins BJ. Identification of a TLR2-regulated gene signature associated with tumor cell growth in gastric cancer. Oncogene Sep 7;36(36):5134-5144 (2017). PMID: 28481875.
West AC and Johnstone RW. New and emerging HDAC inhibitors for cancer treatment. Journal of Clinical Investigation 124(1):30-39 (2014). PMID: 24382387.
West AC, Mattarollo SR, Shortt J, Cluse LA, Christiansen AJ, Smyth MJ and Johnstone RW. An intact immune system is required for the anticancer activities of histone deacetylase inhibitors. Cancer Research 73(24): 7265-76 (2013). PMID: 24158093.

Dr Alison West, NHMRC Peter Doherty Early Career Research Fellowship

Areas of interest

Research group

Biography

Publication highlights

Flu and you – what you need to know in 2025

Controlling inflammation to conquer lung infections

New therapy gives important flu treatment option

Dr Alison West, NHMRC Peter Doherty Early Career Research Fellowship

Areas of interest

Research group

Biography

Publication highlights

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