SVI opens its doors to the next generation of medical researchers

As part of the Day of Immunology, SVI opened its doors for a behind-the-scenes tour of our laboratories, offering students a unique opportunity to discover how we’re addressing some of our most pressing health challenges.

The annual event aims to grow public knowledge and interest in immunology and the mechanisms of diseases like cancer and autoimmune disorders. We welcomed students of various biomedical disciplines to hear from our hardworking team of immunology researchers.

Attendees heard from Associate Professor Stuart Mannering, Head of Human Immunology and Dr Michaela Waibel, Research Project Manager for the Australasian Type 1 Diabetes Immunotherapy Collaborative (ATIC).

Their presentation explained how type 1 diabetes occurs when the immune system attacks the cells that make insulin. The researchers demonstrated how they’re working to identify important targets that cause the autoimmune response, create a simple blood test and develop treatments that teach the immune system to stop attacking.

Dr Julian Vivian, Head of Structural Immunobiology, presented his work on immune system imaging. Julian explained how imaging tools can show how the immune system works, from the size of cells down to tiny molecules. Immune cells act like scanners, checking other cells to see if they are healthy or not. Special proteins called HLAs help by showing pieces of a cell’s inside on its surface. This helps immune cells find and destroy sick or cancerous cells.

Julian noted the importance of engaging students in the inner workings of the lab.

“SVI has a rich history in medical science, and it’s really important that we pass that legacy forward by getting students involved and excited about what we do,” said Julian.

PhD student Jenny Lam then presented her research which examines a protein called Coro2a and how it helps T cells, a type of immune cell, develop. Jenny demonstrated that Coro2a works with the cell’s skeleton to support growth. When Coro2a is missing, T cell development is affected, suggesting it plays an important role.

Discovery Tours are part of SVI’s mission to inspire the next generation of medical researchers to advance discovery, drive innovation in research and secure a healthier future for everyone.