NEWSLETTER

Australasian Society for Immunology Incorporated PP 341403100035 ISSN 1442-8725 March 2010 Attacking type 1 diabetes from all sides Stuart I. Mannering, Helen E. Thomas, Jan Allison, Thomas C. Brodnicki & Thomas W.H. Kay St Vincent’s Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne, Australia

Overview We’re interested in understanding and The study of T1D offers the possibility of Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is an autoimmune preventing the autoimmune response that applying new insights from the study of disease that occurs when the insulin- leads to T1D. There are many unsolved immune pathogenesis to the development of producing beta cells in the pancreas are basic immunology questions highlighted by immune therapies to treat or prevent T1D. destroyed by a T-cell mediated immune T1D. For example, why does the immune Manipulation of the immune system, in the response. Unusually for an autoimmune system turn against the insulin-producing form of vaccination, to prevent infectious disease, T1D is most common in children and cells in an otherwise perfectly healthy disease, has been remarkably successful. adolescents. The autoimmune destruction person? This is another manifestation of To date, autoimmune diseases have not of the insulin-producing cells is believed to the long-standing immunological puzzle been amenable to antigen-specifi c immune continue unnoticed until there are insuffi cient of self-tolerance. In this case, the loss of therapies, similar to microbial vaccination. insulin-producing cells to maintain glucose self-tolerance is remarkably tissue-specifi c; The ability to detect auto-antibodies and homeostasis. Until Banting and Best only the insulin-producing beta cells, within high-risk HLA haplotypes allows clinicians discovered insulin, children with T1D died the islets of Langerhans in the pancreas, are to identify people who are very likely to rapidly. The discovery of insulin, and its destroyed. Why do some people develop develop clinical T1D. These individuals widespread availability, has allowed millions T1D, but not others? It is clear that T1D are typically healthy, so if the autoimmune of people to lead full lives despite having tends to run in families but genes, while they process could be blunted, by an antigen- T1D. Although dramatic, insulin treatment contribute, are not the full story. The genetic specifi c therapy akin to vaccination, T1D is no miracle cure. People with T1D are at and epidemiological evidence suggests might be prevented. Some people who already increased risk of vascular complications there is an environmental ‘missing link’, have established T1D can be treated by islet which can lead to kidney disease and something that conspires with one’s genes to transplantation. This therapy is currently blindness for example. Hypoglycemia precipitate T1D. The identity of this factor, or in its infancy, but early results from work unawareness is also a potentially fatal combination of factors, remains the subject at SVI and other centres around the world complication. of speculation. have shown improved glycaemic control Some of the members of the and quality of life in diabetic recipients Immunology and Diabetes Unit cont. p4 Contents Attacking Type I Diabetes 1 Editorial 3 President’s Column 6 AGM Minutes 7 Honorary Secretary’s News 9 ASI Visiting Speaker Program 10 History of the ASI 12 The People Who Are ASI 13 Councillors’ News 15 ASI 2009 ASM Report 16 Thoughts After my First Year 18 Student Page 19 Upcoming Lectures & Conferences 19 ASI Inc. Newsletter March 2010

ASI Inc. COUNCIL Non-Voting Councillors: Newsletter Editor President Vice President A/Prof Margaret Baird A/Prof Miles Davenport Dr David Tarlinton Ph: 64 3 479 7712; Fax: 64 3 479 8540 Centre for Vascular Research Walter & Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Email: [email protected] University of New South Wales Research Kensington NSW 2052 1G Royal Parade, Parkville Vic 3050 Journal Editor Ph: 61 2 9385 2762 Ph: 61 3 9345 2615 Professor Chris Parish Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Ph: 61 2 6125 2604 Fax: 61 2 6125 2595 Email: [email protected] Honorary Secretary Honorary Treasurer Dr Suzanne Heinzel Dr Pablo Silveira Visiting Speakers Co-ordinator Vaxine Pty Ltd Garvan Institute A/Prof J. Alejandro Lopez Flinders Medical Centre 384 Victoria Street Queensland Institute of Medical Research Bedford Park SA 5042 Darlinghurst NSW 2010 CBCRC/I, Post Offi ce Ph: 61 8 8204 4239 Ph: 61 2 9295 8429 Royal Brisbane Hospital Qld 4029 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Ph: 61 7 3845 3794 Fax: 61 7 3845 3510 Email: Email: [email protected] State Councillors New South Wales Victoria & Tasmania Council Member of IUIS Dr Stuart Tangye Dr Stephen Turner Professor Chris Parish Ph: 61 2 9295 8455 Ph: 61 3 8344 8090 Ph: 61 2 6125 2604 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected]

Queensland South Australia & Northern Territory Honorary Archivist & Webmaster: Dr Heiner Korner Dr Michele Grimbaldeston Dr Judith Greer Ph: 61 7 4781 4563 Ph: 61 8 8222 3083 Ph: 61 7 3346 6018 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected]. Email: [email protected] au Administrative Correspondence Western Australia Australian Capital Territory Ms Judi Anderson Dr Alec Redwood Dr Stephen Daley ASI Inc. Secretariat Ph: 61 8 9346 2512 Ph: 61 2 6125 7605 PO Box 7108 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Upper Ferntree Gully Vic 3156 Ph: 61 3 9756 0128 Fax: 61 3 9753 6372 New Zealand Email: [email protected] Dr Joanna Kirman Ph: 64 4 499 6914 Email: [email protected]

FIMSA Councillor Contact for Tasmania Dr Guna Karupiah Dr Greg Woods Ph: 61 2 6125 4562 Tel: 61 3 6226 4830 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected]

Website The ASI web site (www.immunology.org.au) has been fully remodelled and updated. New services include: ¾ Downloadable forms for ASI awards, ¾ Positions vacant pages, ¾ Jobs wanted pages, ¾ Upcoming conferences listings, as well as a plethora of links to sites of immunological interest at home and abroad. If you‛d like your lab home pages linked to the site, would like to advertise a job or conference, or have a favourite immunology-related site that doesn‛t currently appear on the ASI site, please email Judy Greer at [email protected]

Email bulletin board To subscribe to the ASI bulletin board, send an email to [email protected] with the message: subscribe anz-imm.

2 ASI Inc. Newsletter March 2010

EDITORIAL

Welcome to the fi rst issue of our Newsletter for 2010. You will fi nd that there is an eclectic mix of articles. I would like to highlight ‘Thoughts after my fi rst year”, a provocative opinion piece from Erika Duan in which she ruminates on her career options after a year as a postgraduate student. The photo says it all.

Three excellent scientists are to visit this year. Just yesterday Jack Bennink visited Dunedin in New Zealand and his presentation included impressive in vivo two photon microscopy of cellular movement within the draining lymph The Emu-nologist (Phil Hodgkin) node following vaccinia virus infection. with the Bursa There was no accompanying music a la Ron Germain. What could we offer? Shall I stay or shall I go? Tricky rhythmically. Introducing the Court Photographer – former The request for input to compile a history of ASI President, Alan Baxter. (Thank you, Alan, for ASI should be drawn to the attention of all the conference photos.) readers, particularly ‘mature’ immunologists. Keven Turner is eager to obtain those old ASI fi ling boxes so please do rise to the challenge. The origin of the Bursa, described some years ago in an ASI Newsletter, might well rate a mention. Phil Hodgkin (see photo at right) looks a tad threatened by its presence. Just who actually made this icon? Clearly, Jose, in the accompanying picture from the Gold Coast ASI meeting, doesn’t have the answer – but then he is far too young to know. It could be fun to have some captions for these pictures for the next newsletter (deadline 1st May).

Margaret Baird Who knows, Jose?

Contributions sought for the ASI Newsletter

ASI Secretariat PO Box 7108, You could win $200 !! Upper Ferntree Gully,Vic. 3156 Australia Deadline for the next issue : Tel: +61 3 9756 0128 1st May 2010 Fax: +61 3 9753 6372 Email: [email protected] Please email your contributions to the Secretariat by the above date. Offi ce hours: [email protected] 8.30am – 4.30pm

3 ASI Inc. Newsletter March 2010

Attacking Type 1 Diabetes, cont. to human T1D. The Human T-cell lab has with C57BL/6 mice, a non-diabetes-prone continued to search for epitopes formed by mouse strain, has enabled them to begin after islet transplantation. Nonetheless, post-translational modifi cation. This work fine mapping and characterising three the development of successful islet relies heavily on the CFSE-based techniques different loci linked to T1D. Curiously, transplantation for all those with developed by Stuart Mannering that detect the NOD mouse doesn’t always harbour T1D depends upon basic advances in proliferation of rare auto-antigen specifi c a T1D susceptibility allele. Surprisingly, immunology and islet biology. T cells and clone these cells. The human they found that C57BL/6 mice harbour a autoantigen-specifi c T cell clones are used to susceptibility allele for Idd14, a T1D locus As well as a fascination with the mystery dissect the antigen and epitope specifi city of on chromosome 13, that exacerbates disease of autoimmunity, our group is also human CD4+ T cell responses in T1D. when bred onto the NOD genetic background. interested in the biology of the beta Furthermore, these so-called congenic NOD cell. This is a highly specialized factory The more clinically orientated projects mice are more resistant to bacterial infection devoted to the production and secretion investigate T-cell specifi city and function compared to NOD mice that do not harbour of insulin in exactly the right quantities in following islet transplantation. The aim of the C57BL/6-derived genomic interval for response to nutritional and neural stimuli. this project is to dissect the immunology of Idd14. The Immunogenetics lab’s work aims As well as this metabolic function, the islet rejection in islet transplant recipients. to identify the underlying genes for these beta cell clearly has the machinery to be Because all of the recipients have long- different loci, as well as determine if certain recognized and destroyed by the immune standing T1D, the transplanted islets may T1D susceptibility alleles confer resistance system. The interaction between the be exposed to immune-mediated rejection against infectious disease. immune system and the beta cell naturally from a recrudescent autoimmune response leads to a focus on insulin itself as a likely and/or classical allo-immunity. Advances Islet Biology Lab and Autoimmunity target of autoimmunity. in this area will guide the management Lab of immunosuppressive therapies in Helen Thomas and Jan Allison head the The Immunology and Diabetes Unit, transplant recipients and lead to better graft Unit’s program to study the mechanisms of headed by Professor Tom Kay, at St outcomes. pancreatic beta cell destruction in diabetes. Vincent’s Institute of Medical Research The goal of the Islet Biology Lab lead by in Melbourne, comprises fi ve labs all Immunogenetics Lab Helen Thomas is to understand how the working on different facets of T1D The Immunogenetics Lab is lead by Tom immune effectors of pancreatic beta-cell pathogenesis. The following is a brief Brodnicki who, with his group, joined SVI destruction, CD8+ and CD4+ T cells and description of the work undertaken by in 2009. Their work focuses on how genetic macrophages, kill beta cells, and how beta- each lab within the Immunology and and environmental factors increase one’s risk cell destruction can be prevented. In the Diabetes Unit. for developing autoimmunity, in particular NOD mouse model of T1D, and humans, T1D. It is typically assumed that detrimental there is good evidence that beta cells are Human T-Cell Lab genetic variation contributing to disease destroyed by apoptosis. Members of the Islet Stuart Mannering leads the Human T-cell should be removed by negative selection. Biology Lab have studied beta-cell apoptosis Group which was established in late 2008. However, recent genetic studies suggest that induced by perforin/granzymes, Fas/FasL Their work centres on understanding alleles associated with T1D susceptibility and infl ammatory cytokines in mouse models human CD4+ T-cell specificity and are common within the human population. and human islets. function in T1D. CD4+ T cell are well One possible explanation for the relatively known for their central role in controlling high prevalence of some T1D susceptibility Helen Thomas and members of her lab have adaptive immune responses. CD4+ T alleles is that they confer increased resistance developed techniques to study primary beta cells are also pivotal to the development against infectious diseases. On the other cells by fl ow cytometry and analyze of beta- of T1D. Broadly speaking, the research hand, the hygiene hypothesis suggests cell death in vitro. Isolated mouse and human program falls into two areas. First, that certain childhood infections may islets are used as targets for recombinant analysis of the target antigens, and temper the immune system and decrease effector molecules or CTL (cytotoxic T- epitopes they contain, recognized by the risk for developing autoimmunity in lymphocytes), and to study the effects of pathogenic CD4+ T cells in people with genetically at-risk individuals. Studying inhibition of beta cell death pathways. T1D. The second research direction is this dichotomy in humans is diffi cult due to They have also developed reporter mice to develop new assays to investigate the genetic heterogeneity and tissue availability. that will be used to study the types of cells function of islet antigen-specifi c CD4+ Instead, mouse models have been widely responding to pro-infl ammatory cytokines T cells in human blood. used to better understand the overlapping in vivo, and the timing of this response as genetics and disease pathology of infection T1D develops spontaneously in NOD mice. In 2005, Stuart Mannering published and autoimmunity. This is important because cytokines are the fi rst report of an immune response current targets of clinical trials in diabetes, directed against a modifi ed form of The principal strategy of the Immunogenetics without exact knowledge of their local and/or insulin in T1D. The idea that autoimmune group is to study the genetic interplay systemic role. responses are directed against parts of between infection and autoimmunity within self tissue that are modifi ed has been the nonobese diabetic (NOD) mouse, which Beta-cell apoptosis is also a feature of type around for a long time, but it has been spontaneously develops T1D similar to 2 diabetes. The Islet Biology Lab has been very diffi cult to prove whether this applies humans. Selective mating of NOD mice studying the intracellular signaling pathways

4 ASI Inc. Newsletter March 2010 activated in beta cells in response to high MHC class I expression on beta cells. Loss side-product of the clinical transplant concentrations of glucose. In collaboration of antigen presentation by beta cells prevents program. Previously, human islets with Andreas Strasser (WEHI) they CTL recognition but does not appear to have been very diffi cult to obtain in have used islets from mice lacking pro- prevent the differentiation of CTL measured Australia because they do not survive apoptotic molecules in cell-death assays, by the expression of cytotoxic molecules the flight from islet transplantation and discovered a role for Bim, Puma such as Granzyme B. centres in the United States. Islets and Bax in glucose-mediated toxicity of isolated by the TMITP have been used islets. Further studies into the role of these The challenge is to apply these insights for a range of applications, including molecules in models of type 2 diabetes are into how CTL cause diabetes in NOD electron microscopy tomography, clinical planned for 2010. Jan Allison and members mice to diabetes in humans particularly immunology and in studies within the of her Autoimmunity Lab have studied the in conjunction with the islet transplant Immunology of Diabetes Unit at SVI. requirement of pro-survival molecules for program. Islet biology research originally used prevention of beta cell death in response immortalised cell-lines, then changed to developmental cues, pro-infl ammatory The Tom Mandel Islet Transplantation to primary rodent islets; now human cytokines or cytotoxic drugs. Program islets enable work in the Immunology of The capability to perform human islet Diabetes Unit to come closer to clinical One of the important aims of the Islet Biology allotransplantation is important in offering translation. and Autoimmunity Labs is to translate the Australians with T1D the best available work to human beta cells using islets isolated medical treatment and in establishing a Conclusion by the Tom Mandel Islet Transplant Program. platform to apply future developments in beta Further information about the Immunology Islet transplantation is a powerful platform cell replacement such as xenotransplantation and Diabetes Unit at St Vincent’s Institute, on which to test new therapies for prevention or stem cell based therapies. It is also a can be found at our website (www.svi.edu. of beta-cell death. valuable opportunity for clinical research both au). Laboratories in the unit are funded by on the transplant recipients and on the excess the National Health and Medical Research The Immunology Lab human islets obtained but not transplanted. Council, National Institute of Health, Diabetes in NOD mice and probably in Islet isolation from donor pancreata is Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation humans is mediated by CD8+ CTL. This carried out by a highly skilled team led by Federal Department of Health and Ageing discovery by several laboratories some years Tom Loudovaris. The Tom Mandel Islet and the Diabetes Australia Research ago was surprising. It has led Tom Kay and Transplant Program (TMITP) is part of Trust. We would also like to acknowledge his group to dissect how CTL specifi c for the Australian Islet Transplant Consortium the contribution of our support staff and the beta cell develop in the thymus, become which includes Westmead Hospital in collaborators at SVI and elsewhere. activated in the pancreatic lymph node, Sydney and the Queen Elizabeth Hospital migrate to the pancreatic islets and kill beta in Adelaide. Funded by the Department of cells. CTL have been identifi ed in NOD Health and Ageing and administered by the mice that recognize epitopes in insulin and Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, the several other islet proteins including IGRP purpose of the TMITP is to advance islet ICB Online Manuscript and GAD. The lab has addressed the issue of transplantation through translational research whether one of these antigens is recognized and by providing high-quality clinical care. Submission fi rst or whether many antigens in the beta cell Since December 2007 and up until the start of Online manuscript submission for are recognized at the same time. Inducing 2010, the TMITP has successfully performed Immunology and Cell Biology now available via: tolerance to proinsulin by transgenic 10 transplants into six recipients. Three of http://mc.manuscriptcentral.com/icb overexpression in antigen-presenting these recipients are now insulin independent cells prevented diabetes and autoimmune and the others have had a fall in daily insulin All manuscript submissions to ICB should responses to IGRP measured by MHC usage. Patients with severe hypoglycaemic in future be made online via this web site to speed up the reviewing and acceptance tetramers. In contrast, tolerance to IGRP episodes that do not respond to other of manuscripts. neither prevented diabetes nor responses to therapies such as insulin pumps are eligible other beta cell autoantigens. These data are for transplantation. All of the transplanted Chris Parish, Editor-in-Chief part of the basis for viewing proinsulin as recipients have experienced resolution of Immunology and Cell Biology the primary antigen recognized in diabetes this life-threatening problem, in mouse and perhaps in humans. There are continuing limitations to islet Another major issue is how antigen transplantation: impaired function and presentation by beta cells affects the viability of islets prior to and soon after The Walter and Eliza Hall differentiation of CTL into T cells that kill transplantation, later loss of graft function, Institute of Medical Research compared with the role of dendritic cells in and the side-effects of immunosuppressive WEHI Seminars on the Web: the pancreatic lymph node and the islet. The drugs. With appropriate donor consent for www.wehi.edu/seminars/ lab has studied the effect of overexpression research, human islets that are not suitable of SOCS1 in beta cells. SOCS1 protects beta for transplantation are used for research by cells from CTL and we have established our group and 10 other Australian research that this protection is mainly due to reduced groups. This has been a highly benefi cial

5 ASI Inc. Newsletter March 2010

PRESIDENT’S COLUMN Last December saw another great annual Immunology Congress in Melbourne. This meeting, very well attended and full of has been put together through the efforts of great presentations. The standard of the Jose Villadangos at WEHI, with the support annual conference keeps getting better of his bid committee. The outcome of this and better, as feedback from members will be decided at the 2010 International demonstrated. The venue was positioned Immunology Congress in Japan in August. to allow a swim before the fi rst session for If successful it will be a major opportunity the adventurous. Luck was with us and to showcase Australian Immunology to the the weather was fi ne for the memorable world. outdoor conference dinner. I hope the great experience will encourage a good Finally, the Council thanked the departing attendance at the Perth meeting this Councillors for their efforts over the last three December. years, and welcomed new arrivals – including the Vice-President for 2010 (and President- The ASI Council reported on a number Elect for 2011-2012), David Tarlington of of new initiatives in 2009 to provide WEHI, Melbourne. I hope all members will increased opportunities for members make 2010 a year to get involved in ASI (covered in the AGM minutes opposite activities – in local branches, the International and the Secretary’s report on page 9). Day of Immunology, and at the upcoming One of the major projects in the pipeline annual meeting. is a bid to host the 2016 International Miles Davenport

The committee of the XI International Congress of Reproductive Immunology are pleased to announce that abstract and registration submission is now open. The congress will be held in Palm Cove, near Cairns in Queensland, Australia, from August 15 to August 19, 2010.

The committee has assembled a world-class scientifi c program that will highlight cutting-edge topics in basic and clinical reproductive immunology. The program will include immunology of pregnancy, the placenta and the fetus; female and male gamete development and embryogenesis, infectious disease and mucosal immunology; infl ammation and autoimmunity; developmental immunology; and translational research in infertility and pathologies of pregnancy, and vaccines for STIs and fertility control. There are travel grants, and awards for best oral and poster presentations, for student and trainee delegates.

To register and submit your abstract, please visit the web site: www.icri2010.org

Abstract and Registration – Closing Date 31st May 2010

We look forward to seeing you in Palm Cove.

Sarah Robertson Chair, Local Organising Committee XI ICRI 2010

6 ASI Inc. Newsletter March 2010 MINUTES – ASI ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 8 December 2009, Conrad Jupiters, Gold Coast, Queensland

1. ATTENDANCE AND APOLOGIES an enormous enterprise with a budget of overseas, there were no similar awards Attendance: 63 (at start of meeting) around $5 million. I look forward to further to ASI meetings. This was corrected Apologies: Senga Wittingham, Tony discussions on this during this meeting. this year, and Chris Schmidt and his Cunningham, Ian Mackay committee made two awards post-docs During the year the Council has developed to attend the ASI annual meeting. It is 2. CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES a number of new initiatives to support hoped numbers will increase as members AGM 2008 members. These include: become aware of this scheme. Moved: Anne Kelso, Seconded: Judith Senior travel awards Greer, Carried. It has long been noted at Council that although Women in Immunology Breakfast there are lots of travel grants and bursaries for At last year’s meeting there was a call 3. RECEIPT AND APPROVAL OF junior members, there is little opportunity for for action to support women members, REPORTS FROM COUNCIL members beyond their fi rst few post-doctoral particularly through mentoring by more 3.1. President’s Report (Miles years. At last year’s Council meeting it was senior members. Judith Greer has been Davenport) agreed to establish two senior travel awards very pro-active on this, organizing the 2009 has been an extremely exciting year on to support mid-career or established members inaugural “ASI Women in Immunology a number of fronts: Firstly, we have crossed valued at up to $10,000. Both the Gordon Breakfast” on Tuesday. ASI Council the threshold of 1,000 members for the fi rst Ada and Jacques Miller awards were given enthusiastically supports this initiative. time. This is a tribute to the efforts of the past in 2009, to Mark Smyth and Stephen Nutt Reports suggest that the breakfast was and present Councillors and their committees respectively. Members are encouraged to a great success and unfortunately was in organizing local events and speakers to apply for these, and in particular note that oversubscribed so some missed out. make ASI an ‘all year around’ part of the they are targeting mid-career as well as immunology scene. I think the strength of established members 3.2. Secretary’s Report (Susanne the science presented at the annual meeting Heinzel) has also been a major contributor, and our ASI session at AAI Total membership: 1046 thanks should go to the organizers of these At the mid-year Council meeting it was Incoming and outgoing councillors are meetings over the last few years who have decided to investigate other options to show in table below. put so much effort into making it a truly support travel by more mid-career and Travel Awards: world class meeting. senior members. Three people were asked Two Senior Travel Fellowships to put in proposals for an ASI session at the (Gordon Ada and Jacques Miller Travel On the meetings theme, 2009 has been an American Association of Immunologists Awards) exciting year with FIMSA, ASI Annual (AAI) Congress in Seattle in May. Jose International Travel Awards: Postdoc: Meeting, and ICI 2016 all on the agenda. Villadangos submitted a proposal for a 4, Postgrad: 6 The annual meeting organizers have chosen session on “Dendritic cell specializations Travel bursaries to attend annual a wonderful venue – and given that the 2007 from bench to bedside”, which was selected meeting: 24 Postgrads and 2 Postdocs Sydney meeting was also beachside, this by executive as bid to put forward to AAI Student bursaries to attend FIMSA seems to be becoming a ‘surf and science’ 2010 organisers. This was approved by AAI training course: 28 theme [of which I would be an enthusiastic 2010 committee. The Council will await supporter]. I am looking forward to a very reports on this and, if it is successful, call 3.3. Treasurer’s Report (Chris stimulating and enjoyable session. for interest to organise another session in Andoniou) 2011. Chris presented the accounts for the The FIMSA conference caused a little stir year 2008/09. Total assets are $585,000 at last year’s Council meeting, when we Post-doc travel awards to annual with a loss of $38,000 during the last were called upon to organize it at 12 months meeting fi nancial year with $53,000 outstanding notice. We were extremely fortunate that It was noted at the last Council meeting as meeting loans, which are likely to Simon Apte and his team were undaunted that although there were international travel be repaid. Expenditure for 2010 is by this challenge, and put in an enormous awards for post-docs to attend conferences budgeted at $225,000 for a predicted effort to put together a spectacular program. loss of $25,000. The enthusiasm of members is shown by the Position Outgoing Incoming fact it was oversubscribed, and I have heard Executive Past President Alan Baxter Vice President David Tarlinton great reports of its success. Chris Andoniou Treasurer Pablo Silveira Voting Council SA/NT Councillor Claudine Bonder Michele Grimbaldeston Finally, preparation of a proposal for an ACT Councillor Gerard Hoyne Stephen Daley WA Councillor Delia Nelson Alec Redwood Australasian bid for ICI-2016 has been Non-voting Phil Hodgkin underway behind the scenes, with Jose council Meeting Coordinator Bernadette Saunders Incoming DoI Coordinator Geeta Chaudri Delia Nelson Villadangos and his team collecting Imogen Gillions Student Representative TBA information to present to Council. This Guna Karupiah (confi rmed as ASI rep on is an exciting challenge for ASI, as it is FIMSA Representatives council) 7 ASI Inc. Newsletter March 2010

Moved: Miles Davenport, Seconded: was a great success (the best one Nick Next meetings: Alan Baxter, Carried. K has ever attended). The course was 2012 Vic/Tas, 2013 NZ oversubscribed. Special thanks go to Simon 3.4 ICB Report (Chris Parish) Apte, Denis Doolan, Stephanie Yerkovich 4. RECEIPT AND APPROVAL OF • The impact factor 3.859 for 2009 and many others. Eight FIMSA scholarships FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (rise of 27% from 3.033 in 2007). ICB were given to overseas students to attend the Proposed resolution: That the AGM approves is now ranked 28th out of a total of 121 training course. FIMSA’s efforts now are to the 2008–2009 reports from Council. immunology journals, jumping from support ICI2010 in Japan. Moved: Lindsay Dent, Seconded Chris 47th in the previous year. Parish, Carried. • There has been a 28% increase 3.2. IUIS Report in the number of unsolicited papers No items discussed SPECIAL BUSINESS submitted to ICB in 2009, this increase 5. SPECIAL RESOLUTIONS TO mainly occurring since the increased 3.3. Meeting Reports AMEND THE RULES OF THE impact factor was announced mid year. 2009 Gold Coast (Chris Schmidt) AUSTRALASIAN SOCIETY FOR • The newly introduced article type More than 600 delegates attended making IMMUNOLOGY INC. ‘Outstanding Observations’ is going it the largest ASI meeting outside the Special resolution 1: That clause 40 of the extremely well. international meeting held in Melbourne. Rules of the Society be replaced by: • The acceptance rate for refereed The meeting will run with a fi nancial profi t. Notices papers was 32%; the national content is Chris thanked Chris Engwerda’s program 40.(1) Notwithstanding any other provision approx. 25%. committee, Maher Gandhi (treasurer) and in the Rules, any notice by or to the Society • The ‘Special Features’ have everybody else on the organising committee (or any offi cer of the Society) may be continued to be very successful during for an extraordinary job. The AGM voted delivered, posted, faxed, sent by electronic 2009 and will be continued during 2010. to thank Chris Schmidt for a fantastic communication or given in any other At this stage, three Special Features have meeting. manner authorised by law. been planned for 2010, which are as 40.(2) A notice includes but is not limited follows: 2010 Perth (Chris Andoniou) to nomination of a person for membership, January– Innate immune activation in To be held at the Perth Convention Centre a ballot and any communication that is gouty arthritis 5–9 December. required to be in writing. March-April – What drives Th2 Satellite Meetings: Tumour immunology, 40.(3) The Electronic Transactions immunity? Infection and Immunity, Student workshop (Victoria) Act 2000 applies to electronic May-June – Understanding the biology Organising Committee: Chris Andoniou communications. and function of Langerhans cells. (Chair), Tony Scalzo, Prue Hart, Delia 40.(4) If a member has more than one Nelson, Jane Allan, Andrew Currie, Deborah address, it will be suffi cient if a notice is Special thanks go to Franca Ronchese as Strickland, Matt Wikstrom, Meri Tulic sent to any of the addresses. Special Features editor. Confi rmed Speakers: Proposed: Chris Andoniou, Seconded: James Allison, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Andrew Lew, Carried. Editorial: Chris Parish will be retiring – tumour immunology as Editor-in-Chief of ICB at the end of Rachel Caspi, NIH – autoimmunity/uveitis Special resolution 2: That clause 25(1)(c) 2010. Gabrielle Belz became the Deputy Tracy Hussel, Imperial Collage – lung of the Rules of the Society be replaced by: Editor of the journal and will take over infl ammation/innate immunity 25(1)(b) the ordinary members of Council the Editor-in-Chief position in 2011. Dan Littman, New York University – T cell being; one Representative of NSW, Franca Ronchese became the Special differentiation/HIV Victoria, Queensland, Western Australia, Features Editor. Carola Vinuesa and Andrew Luster, Harvard University – the Australian Capital Territory, one joint Stuart Tangye continued to perform a Lymphocyte migration representative from South Australia and the wonderful job in recruiting excellent Bernard Malissen, INSERM – T cell Northern Territory, one joint representative N&C articles for the journal. The term responses/DC from Victoria and Tasmania, and one for current Editorial Board members ends Eleanor Riley, London School of Hygiene Representative of New Zealand in December 2009 and, with the help of and Tropical Medicine – NK cells/malaria Proposed: Andrew Lew, Seconded: Bernie Gabrielle Belz, a substantially changed Ralph Steinman, Rockefeller University Saunders, Carried. Editorial Board of 48 members has been – DCs/cancer assembled, their duties commencing in Brigitta Stockinger, NIMR, London – Th17 Special resolution 3: That clause 25(2) of January 2010. differentiation the Rules of the Society be replaced by: Burnet Oration – Chris Goodnow 25(2) The position of each of the Representatives Tony Basten commended Chris Parish shall be fi lled by election as set out in these for ICB and its success. Future Annual Scientifi c Meetings Rules for a period to run until immediately 2011 SA/NT: Adelaide Convention Centre, after an Annual General Meeting which is the 3.1. FIMSA Report (Nick King) 11–15 December. Organising Committee third Annual General Meeting after the The 10th FIMSA Advanced Immunology formed, with Claudine Bonder as Chair. Annual General Meeting after which he or she Training Course held at Tangalooma attained office. prior to the ASI meeting, 3–6 December Proposed: Alan Baxter, Seconded: Alejandro Lopez, Carried. 8 ASI Inc. Newsletter March 2010

6. OTHER BUSINESS • The meeting would be held in second 6.1. ICI2016 Bid update (Jose half of August 2016. Submission of Villadangos) photos with articles Jose presented an overview of the progress Miles Davenport thanked JV and his team and the essentials of the bid document to be for putting together the bid. When submitting articles, submitted to the IUIS to hold the ICI 2016 reports, etc. to the newsletter, in Melbourne Australia. 7. OTHER BUSINESS please do not embed the • Selected venue: MCEC which can hold Special thanks to all outgoing councillors: photos in the Word article, up to 10,000 delegates comfortably Alan Baxter, Chris Andoniou, Gerard • Collaborating societies: FOCIS (1 day Hoyne, Delia Nelson, Phil Hodgkin, Imogen but always send as separate clinical workshop) and ASCIA Gillions. jpeg fi les – preferably around • ASI membership per capita is much 300–400kb. Embedded higher compared to other societies (equal 8. MEETING CLOSE photos/graphics cannot be to Japan, UK, 2 x USA, or Germany, 5x 1.40pm imported into the desktop Canada, 15 x Brazil) publishing program nor edited • Sufficient accommodation nearby if required and delays occur conference venue (5,400 rooms in in requesting photographs to walking distance) be re-sent. • PCO listed on bid document: Arinex Thank you for your (strong track record and positive feedback from other meeting organisers) co-operation. • $300,000 seed funding from MCVB and $300,000 from Victorian State Government secured • Lobbied at the ECI 2009 meeting in Berlin HONORARY SECRETARY’S NEWS with a function hosted by the Australian Ambassador to Germany, Switzerland 2009 has been an exciting and eventful year access to Nature Immunology and Nature and Lichtenstein for ASI. Reviews in Immunology, a free quarterly • Predicted registration fees: $875 (full) Newsletter and (most importantly for or $460 (student) ASI has decided to put in a bid to hold the some) eligibility to apply for our bursaries • Breakeven number is approx 2000 International Congress for Immunology (ICI) and travel awards. delegates (a local Melbourne meeting can 2016 in Australia. Melbourne was chosen as draw 1000 delegates). Predicted profi t for the host city should we win the bid. A bidding I’d like to take this opportunity to remind 4000 delegates: $230,000. Worst case committee led by Jose Villadangos has put everybody to renew their membership in scenario: $350,000 loss together an excellent bidding document, time, particularly those who want keep • Supporting letter from IUIS president which was submitted to the IUIS in December their options open to apply for any of the Peter Doherty received. ’09. Watch this space for news on this exciting travel awards. For these people, renewal development. before 1st April is essential. In order to Two ways of running the conference if bid be eligible for postgrad or postdoctoral is won: The new Gordon Ada and Jacques Miller travel awards, the applicant must have • Option 1: Set up a shelf company to Senior Travel Awards were given out for the been a full member in the year prior run ICI2016 with $100,000 seed loan fi rst time in 2009. These awards are designed to application and must have renewed from ASI. Maximum total loss to as opportunities for mid-career members their membership before or on 1st April ASI: $100,000. Shelf company enters who want to go overseas and are worth up in the year of application. Naturally, agreement with PCO, IUIS, MCVB. to $10,000 per award. The next round for membership must also be active at time • Option 2: ASI runs the meeting. All applications will be called for in March for of travel. agreements are with ASI. travel within July 2010 to June 2011. We greatly encourage our mid-career members to As in previous years, there will be two Responses to questions from fl oor: consider this exciting opportunity for travel rounds of applications for travel awards. • Seeding funds do not have to be paid planned later this year or early 2011. Don’t Applications for travel in the second back if the bid is not won. be shy about putting in an application! half of 2010 will be called in March and • There are no tax implications whether applications for travel in the fi rst half of congress is run by company or ASI. ASI is defi ned by its membership and 2011 will be called for in October. • No annual ASI meeting would be held a lot of benefits are available to its if ICI2016 was to be in Australia. The members such as reduced registration Please remember that the ASI Council is meeting roster would be moved back for rates to the Annual Scientifi c Meeting (and there to support its members. Please do one year. other events organised by the ASI), free not hesitate to contact us with queries or • The PCO and MCVB have extensive online subscription to our Society journal, suggestions that you might have. experience in promotion of such Immunology and Cell Biology (with its Susanne Heinzel events. ever increasing impact factor) along with Honorary Secretary

9 ASI Inc. Newsletter March 2010 The ASI Visiting Speaker Program February/March 2010 7pm – ASCIA dinner (ASI members The fi rst half of the seminar will cover welcome). Sponsored by Abbott intravital visualization of virus infection and Professor Jean-Laurent CASANOVA the immune response. It will focus on imaging Rockefeller University, New York, Wednesday 3 March of the initial in vivo events in infection of a USA 7:45-9am – Paediatrics Grand Round at lymph node including localization of naive Laboratory of Human Genetics of the Royal Children’s Hospital (RCH 5 CD8+ T cells to an area we have defi ned as Infectious Diseases, Rockefeller fl oor) teleconferenced around Qld – general the peripheral interfollicular region where University paediatricians and trainees – breakfast they are activated though interaction with University Paris René Descartes, Hôpital afterwards. dendritic cells. Work in progress on imaging Necker – Enfants Malades of CD8 + T cell responses in the periphery Dr Jack BENNINK will also be presented Chief, Viral Immunology Section, Laboratory of Viral Diseases, National Institute of The second half will describe our studies Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National that have led to the establishment of a new Institutes of Health, Bethesda, (MD), USA model for infl uenza A virus antigenic drift. These studies have demonstrated that mouse polyclonal antibody responses select for HA with increased receptor avidity, and that virus reverts to wild type HA avidity in naive mice. They further show that mutations throughout the globular domain affect receptor avidity leading to the important conclusion that Professor Jean-Laurent Casanova is sequence variation in HA results from an extraordinary paediatrician and both epitope escape and receptor avidity immunologist who identifi ed genetic modulation. mutations predisposing individuals to specifi c pathogens, a fi nding that has February 23 – Dunedin both challenged and brought together February 25 – Sydney divergent theories. Feb 26 - Mar 1 – Melbourne Dr Jack R Bennink is a Senior Investigator and March 2 – Adelaide Chief, of the Viral Immunology Section in the Prof. Casanova has been invited by March 3 & 4 – Canberra Laboratory of Viral Diseases in the National the Royal College of Pathologist of March 4 & 5 – Brisbane Australia and was kindly made available Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases at the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, for presentations for immunologists: The visit is being co-ordinated by Dr Guna Maryland. His research program has a long- “From Paediatric Infectious Diseases to Karupiah from the ANU, Canberra (Guna. standing interest in understanding the basic Inborn Errors of Immunity: Immunology [email protected]) in Natura”. cell biology and cellular immunology of the MHC class I-TCD8+ system of immune Janko Nikolich-Zugich MD, PhD recognition and anti-viral immunity. There They will take place: University of Arizona, Department of are three main areas of interest including: Friday, February 26, 1pm at the WEHI, Immunobiology, Tucson, USA Melbourne (Phil Hodgkin; hodgkin@ studies of the cell biology of MHC class wehi.edu.au) I associated antigen processing pathways, Tuesday, March 2, 10am at the QIMR, and the folding, traffi cking, and assembly Brisbane (J. Alejandro López; alejL@ of viral proteins, particularly infl uenza A qimr.edu.au) virus (IAV) hemagglutinin (HA) and PB1- F2; cellular immunology studies examining In addition, during his visit to Brisbane the activation, repertoire, and function of Prof. Casanova will attend following anti-viral TCD8+ and other immune cells; meetings to which all ASI members are and studies examining influenza virus welcome: biology including IAV antigenic variation and pathogenicity. Tuesday 2 March His laboratory is interested in the biology of 8-10am – Visit to Qld Health Laboratories ASI Presentations cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) in health, (RB&WH) I. Intravital imaging of the anti-viral immune response infection and aging. Much of the studies are 11am - 1:30pm – Talking to QIMR II. Antigenic drift: Mechanisms of performed in the context of the relationship Immunologists (including lunch) infl uenza A virus hemagglutinin between immunity and pathogens over the 1:30-5pm – Case reviews at the Royal immune escape lifespan of the organism, with a specifi c Children’s Hospital

10 ASI Inc. Newsletter March 2010 emphasis upon the age-related defects in Other visits planned in the year: November 23 – December 4 immunity and defects in homeostasis of the August 15 – 19 Dr Gregory Bancroft immune system. Professor Chen Dong Immunology Unit, Department of Professor of Immunology and Director, Infectious & Tropical Diseases, London Diagnosis of the most critical, primary Center for Infl ammation and Cancer, MD School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, defects in innate and adaptive immunity of Anderson Cancer Center, University of UK the old age is being followed by studies to Texas. USA Host: Natkunam Ketheesan, School repair or modulate those defects by immune Host: A/Prof Sarah A Robertson, University of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences intervention as well as by tailored, rational of Adelaide (sarah.robertson@adelaide. & School of Medicine, James Cook vaccine design. His studies are often pursued edu.au) University, Townsville Queensland by vertical model integration – using broad ([email protected]) and fundamental studies in rodents to crystallize questions to be asked and verifi ed in non-human primates, leading to fi nal and most relevant studies in humans. The main virus targets of these studies are herpesviruses (HSV and CMV) and fl aviviruses (chiefl y the West Nile virus – WNV), although the research has more recently been broadened to bacteria (Listeria and Francisella).

One main topic of research of his lab focus is the selection, recognition, function, and homeostasis of cytotoxic T lymphocytes. They employ a combination of structural, molecular, transgenic, and functional approaches, using crystallographic modeling, TCR sequence and CDR3 length analysis, soluble and cell-bound TCR:peptide:MHC interactions, transgenesis and site-directed mutagenesis, and functional immunological assays. The emphasis of his approach is on following and manipulating the CTL response in vivo. This allows him to precisely dissect the CTL recognition, CTL repertoire and CTL activation in a setting where CTLs combat natural pathogens or cancer in the course of a lifespan of an organism.

March 16, Sydney Victor Chang Institute, 11am-12 noon “Population biology of aging T-cells in health and infection”. (contact person Stu Tangye; [email protected])

March 17, Brisbane Queensland Institute of Medical Research, Westpac Auditorium, 1pm “CD8+ T-cell response to Herpesvirus infection in aging” (contact person Rajiv Khanna; RajivK.qimr.edu.au)

March 22, Melbourne WEHI Lecture Theatre, 7th level, 2–3pm “Discrete age-related proliferation and differentiation defects in CD8 T-cell immunity against the West Nile virus” (contact persons: Katherine Kedzierska; [email protected] or Gabrielle Belz; [email protected])

11 ASI Inc. Newsletter March 2010 The History of the ASI

I have been asked by the Committee to 2. The period of nearly 10 years following 6. The ‘mature years’ of which I know very produce a history of the ASI, a task which the above period when the mantle was little since I retired at the end of 1992. will require input from several members, spread to incorporate new immunologists especially those few still remaining who in Sydney, Perth and Brisbane I repeat, if you have any relevant information, were involved in the formation of our 3. The period when Gus Nossal advised the material such as old minutes, notices, very successful Society. Please therefore annual meeting held in Perth in December correspondence, etc., or any suggestions re feel free to send me any information you 1971 that, if the ASI wished to become the format which could fi t into the story of may have which falls within the following incorporated into full membership of the the ASI, please send it to me to ensure that format. recently formed IUIS and its graduate the history as it is written does justice to our students become eligible for the award Society. I would like to complete the task by 1. The period leading up to the formation of traveling scholarships from that body, mid-year at the latest. of the ASI, i.e. the informal meetings our Society must become formalized with which Derek Rowley initiated in the its own constitution. Keven J. Turner late 1950s and early 1960s when just 4. The early days of the ASI Inc. with its Apt. 43, St Ives Centro a handful of immunologists (I was structure, constitution and scientific 6 Tighe Street, Jolimont WA 6014 fortunate in being one of these) met meetings Email: [email protected] once or twice a year in either Adelaide, 5. The ‘middle years’ from the late 1970s Tel. (08) 9387 2575, Mob. 0412 826 879 Melbourne or Canberra. These were to early 1990s informal, unstructured gatherings

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12 ASI Inc. Newsletter March 2010 The People Who Are ASI Steve Turner – Victoria/Tasmania included the development of a single cell PCR for antigen. This is done in collaboration Councillor strategy for determining gene expression with Jamie Rossjohn (Monash University) profi les from individual, virus specifi c T and Tony Purcell (Bio21, Uni of Melb) My major research interest is in understanding cells. We used this strategy to examine T and uses a combination of structural factors that impact the quality of cellular cell receptor and effector gene expression biology and ectopic expression of T immunity in response to infection. In at a single cell level. cell receptors in mice to map functional particular, my research focuses on the consequences of T cell receptor diversity. cytotoxic T cell response, although we also In mid 2002, I returned with Peter to I have long had an interest in factors that examine the response of other T cell subsets. the Department of Microbiology and infl uence cytotoxic T cell effector gene This includes understanding molecular Immunology, The University of Melbourne, expression, work done in collaboration interactions of T cell recognition, factors that and together with Nicole La Gruta and with Joe Trapani (Peter Mac Institute) infl uence the acquisition and maintenance Katherine Kedzierska, we set up a research and Phil Bird (Monash University). This of lineage specifi c T cell function and the program that focused on work that I had has now been extended to understanding development of T cell memory. carried out in Memphis. In that time, our how epigenetic modifi cations within group has grown from 3 to 15 people with the T cell genome infl uence acquisition My interest in this area stems from my myself, Nicole and Katherine all heading up and maintenance of lineage specifi c PhD studies with Professor Frank Carbone independent research interests. T cell function. This work is done in at Monash University where I studied collaboration with Sudha Rao (JCSMR, factors that influenced T cell receptor We have an extended lab group of ANU), Steve Reiner (University of repertoire diversity in response to herpes approximately 20 people. My immediate Pennyslvania, USA), Jonathan Kaye simplex virus infection. During my initial lab currently consists of a talented team of (Cedar Sinai Medical Centre, LA, USA) postdoctoral training, with Dr Janet Ruby two postdoctoral fellows (Matthew Olson and Terry Speed (WEHI). While our at the Department of Microbiology and and Brendan Russ), four PhD students major interest is virus-specifi c cytotoxic Immunology, The University of Melbourne, (Alice Denton, Bridie Day, Lauren Hatton T cells, we have recently extended this I developed an interesting viral pathogensis and Hayley Croom), one honours student analysis to other cell types including NK after working on virus-host interactions using (Ly Thai) and a technician (Sze-Chi cells, CD4 T cells (in collaboration with ectromelia infection of mice. However, it Freidnack), with recent departures including Andrew Brooks, Uni of Melb) and NKT was during my second postdoctoral position, John Stambas (faculty position at Deakin cell subsets (in collaboration with Sumone with Professor Peter Doherty at St Jude University), Carole Guillonneau (faculty Chakravarti and Dale Godfrey). Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, position at University of Nantes, France) Tennessee, that my current research interests and Justine Mintern (postdoctoral fellow Finally, a major area of interest is were established. While in Memphis, I at WEHI). understanding the role of cellular learnt the infl uenza A virus infection model immunity to infl uenza infection with a of infection and used it to probe various My main research interests are the molecular view toward developing novel vaccine aspects of cytotoxic T cell response. This interactions that determine T cell specifi city strategies. I am part of an NHMRC

Front row, LtoR: John Stambas (ex postdoc, now faculty at Deakin University); Bridie Day (PhD student, Turner lab); Nicole La Gruta (Research Fellow, Dept of Micro & Immunol), Teresa Rispoli (personal assistant to PD); Lauren Hatton (PhD, Turner Lab), Stephen Turner, Anne Kelso, Peter Doherty, Matthew Olson (postdoc, Turner lab). Back row, LtoR: Tania Cukalac (PhD student, La Gruta lab), Alice Denton (PhD student, Turner lab), Brendan Russ (post doc, Turner lab), Natasha Swan (research assistant, La Gruta, Kedzierska labs), Hayley Croom (PhD student, Turner lab), Katherine Kedzierska (Research Fellow, Dept of Micro & Immunol), Sophie Valkenburg (PhD student, Kedzierska Lab), Kim Charlton (research assistant, Kelso lab), Brian Liddicoat (ex honours student, Turner lab), Francesca Mecuri (laboratory manager, Turner, La Gruta, Kedzierska labs)

13 ASI Inc. Newsletter March 2010

program grant headed by Peter Doherty career development for young scientists (PhD and working with Anne Kelso (WHO students and postdocs) are also a high priority. ASI online Collaborating Centre for Reference and It is during this formative stage that most immunology quiz Research on Infl uenza), Lorena Brown support is needed. An area that perhaps needs and Dave Jackson (both Department of addressing is further support for mid-career As part of the recent World Microbiology and Immunology, The scientists, those who are about to or have Day of Immunology, we have University of Melbourne) and Weisan recently established independent research developed an online immunology Chen (Ludwig Institute). programs. In a competitive environment, quiz (see http://www.immunology. perhaps more can be done to support the org.au/immquiz1.html) on the ASI I have been a member of ASI since career of such people, particularly in terms website. This quiz is targeted at I started my PhD and a member of of mentoring from senior, and established, the general public, but it would the IgV committee since my return in researchers. be good to add a few more 2002. The ASI (and its branches) is a questions (especially some with an terrifi c organization with those involved Of course, ASI (both nationally and state Australasian fl avour), and maybe working hard to promote an intellectually level) is always looking for new members even add an “Advanced Level”, stimulating and professionally supportive and new suggestions/improvements for with questions that undergrad environment. I was elected to the ASI the programs it has. For those of you in students might find useful for Council as the Vic/Tas representative Victoria/Tasmania, don’t hesitate to contact revising for exams. All that’s in 2008. In that time, I have seen fi rst me if you have ideas or suggestions. Finally, needed now are the questions and hand just how hard individuals work to I have found my involvement with ASI highly answers. ensure that ASI is a continuing success. rewarding, and very enlightening. As such, This is true at both the national and state I would encourage you to consider getting If you would like to contribute any level. I think of particular importance involved, whether at a state branch level, or multiple choice questions for either is the ASI Visiting Speaker Program, as a councillor. the general quiz or an advanced a terrifi c initiative that has been going version, please send them to Judith for some time now and brings world Greer at [email protected]. leaders in the fi eld to Australia so they can interact and connect with researchers here. I also think the programs that aid in

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14 ASI Inc. Newsletter March 2010 ASI Councillors’ News W.A. News N.Z. News N.S.W. News This is my fi rst year as the Western Australian NZ ASI/Immunet Meeting 2010 Happy new year to all! Several events ASI Councillor and, as such, my fi rst ASI Anne La Flamme and I have been busy have been planned for immunologists Councillors News Report. So I thought I making plans for our meeting this year, to be of NSW for 2010. would take this opportunity to introduce held on July 1st and 2nd. We are delighted myself and say that I am looking forward, with to have Ed Pearce and Erika Pearce from the 1. ASI International Visiting some trepidation, to supporting immunology Trudeau Institute, NY, and our former ASI Speakers and the ASI in Perth for the next three years. President, Alan Baxter, as well as Carola So far there are three international The local branch will be continuing with a Garcia de Vinuesa as our confi rmed invited speakers who will be visiting Sydney committee structure this year and thanks for speakers. as part of the ASI-sponsored Visiting those who have stayed on for another year to Speaker Program. help organise events in WA. Also a big thank We are once again anticipating fierce you to those who have left the committee, to competition for our student speaker On Thursday February 25, Prof Jack either concentrate on organising the Annual competition and this year, driven by Bennick from the NIH will be giving Scientifi c Meeting or who have left the State Roslyn Kemp, we will establish roundtable a seminar at Garvan Institute. Jack for other opportunities. In particular I would discussions as part of the ASI Women’s is an expert in the areas of host/viral like to thank Delia Nelson for her work over Initiative. interactions and anti-viral immune the past few years as WA Councillor. We will responses. also be trialling a student sub-committee idea Day of Immunology, April 29 to help organise events in WA. Many on this We are extremely excited that Ian Frazer In August, Chen Dong from MD committee will carry on from organising has kindly agreed to do a public seminar Anderson Cancer/University of Texas the successful social events at last year’s in Wellington in the evening for the Day will be giving a seminar at Garvan early career workshop, others will be new of Immunology, which will be held at the Institute. The exact date and time is to be and have yet to be found. If you want to be Pipitea Campus of Victoria University. Plans confi rmed, but it will be between August found, please give me a call. The fi rst job of are underfoot by Roslyn Kemp, in Dunedin, 9 and 13. Chen Dong is an extraordinarily the committee will be to help the new ASI to host a public event that incorporates basic prolifi c immunologist and has made student rep, Baca Chan, organise the student science and clinical perspectives on a topical major contributions to our understanding event at the Annual Scientifi c Meeting in immunological event. of CD4 T cell differentiation/lineages. Perth this year. ASI Visiting speakers And on Friday 26 November, Dr Greg Preparations for the ASI Annual Scientifi c Unfortunately the visit to Auckland and Bancroft from the London School Meeting are well underway. The meeting Dunedin by Jean-Laurent Casanova was of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine will be held from 5th - 9th December 2010 cancelled; however by the time of publication, will be giving a seminar at Centenary at the Perth Convention and Exhibition Jack Bennink will have visited Dunedin in Institute. Greg’s research interests Centre, Perth, Western Australia. The February. There are plans to host Gregory lie in understanding host-pathogen convention centre is located in the heart of Bancroft in Wellington in December. interactions. the city with restaurants and other activities within walking distance. Confi rmed keynote Joanna Kirman 2. ASI-NSW Sponsored National speakers include: James Allison, Rachel Councillor Visiting Speaker Program Caspi, Tracy Hussel, Foo Yew Liew, Dan Starting this year, ASI NSW will Littman, Andrew Luster, Bernard Malissen, be inviting several notable national Eleanor Riley, Ralph Steinman, Brigitta immunologists to come to Sydney to give Stockinger, with the Burnet Oration to be seminars. These seminars will be held at presented by Chris Goodnow. Thanks go to the Garvan Institute. The schedule for the organising committee and the chair of the this program is as follows: Committee, Christopher Andoniou. Sustaining Membership Tuesday June 15: Prof Dale Godfrey, Further details regarding the meeting are University of Melbourne (NKT cells) available at: http://www.asi2010.com/ ASI Inc acknowledges the We look forward to see you all in Perth in support of the following Monday July 19: Prof Joe Trapani, Peter December. sustaining member: MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne (Structure and function of perforin) Alec Redwood • Jomar Bioscience Councillor Monday September 27: Dr Steve Nutt, Walter & Eliza Hall Institute, Melbourne (Transcriptional regulation of lymphocyte development and effector function) 15 ASI Inc. Newsletter March 2010

Monday November 1: Dr Gabrielle Belz, (University of Arizona, USA) (22 March). Walter & Eliza Hall Institute, Melbourne You will have received details regarding their (CD8 T cell differentiation and anti-viral respective seminars by email. immunity). Also, I would like to congratulate IgV member, For this series, the invited speakers Bridie Day (Dept of Microbiology and will be at Garvan for most of the day Immunology, The University of Melbourne) so will be available to meet with fellow who received the ASI New Investigator immunologists. award for 2009. Also congratulations to all those IgV members who were awarded travel 3. ASI NSW Scientifi c Retreat bursaries and poster prizes at the meeting. Following the success of the joint ASI NSW/ACT retreat held in September Finally, just a reminder to those of you so in Bowral, we will be staging this event inclined, the IgV committee is always looking again. The location will be the same for new members and suggestions for how it (Craigieburn Resort and Conference can better serve Victorian ASI members. All Centre) and the dates are Thursday 9 enquires can be addressed to myself (sjturn@ and Friday 10 September, 2010. The unimelb.edu.au), Dave Tarlinton (tarlinto@ meeting will follow a similar format as wehi.edu.au) or Rose Ffrench (ffrench@ last year, however we hope to have more burnet.edu.au). presentations by early career scientists this time around. Watch this space for Steve Turner more details at the date draws closer Councillor Ms Bridie Day, ASI New Investigator of the Year and make a note of these dates in your (2009) and IgV member diaries.

All the best for 2010 2009 ASI Conference Report Stuart Tangye The 2009 Annual Immunology Workshop Gordon Ada Orator Councillor Meeting of the was Chris Parish, a truly original thinker who ASI lived up to has contributed to every facet of the ASI Victorian News the reputation expected from our premier meetings over the last few years. Prizes for event of the year, a dazzling display of science the best student and post doc presentations at mixed with a friendly atmosphere. The Gold the Infection and Immunity workshop were Coast provided an attractive location, and the awarded to Socorro Miranda-Hernandez weather was wonderful – a great relief given (JCU) and Nick Gorgani (Uni Adelaide), Just a quick reminder that with the that the well-attended conference dinner was and the Graham Jackson Memorial Award New Year well and truly underway, by the pool. for Mucosal Immunology was shared by it is already time to start penciling in Elizabeth Forbes (Malaghan) and Shen Foo dates for things. First and foremost is The meeting was one of the largest yet for (Uni Newcastle). the IgV annual conference. Look for a ASI, with 631 attendants, including 262 possible change in dates this year with students! Feedback from delegates was The conference opened with lucid plenary a move towards the middle of the year. very favourable, 90% rating the program as talks from Chris Goodnow and Shimon This is in response to the fact that there ‘very good’ or excellent, a view echoed in Sakaguchi, who unravelled some of the are signifi cant meetings that include the the responses from many of the speakers. complex tapestry of immune interactions IUIS Congress in Kobe, Japan (August), My feeling was that we had a critical mass with important implications for self Infl uenza Options Meeting in Hong of enthusiastic scientists that brought out tolerance. The high standard they set Kong (September), the ASMR biennial the best in the meeting – there was always was maintained throughout the meeting. conference in Melbourne (November) a buzz of excitement around the posters, and Standout presentations from invited speakers and, of course, ASI in Perth at the start the sessions were well attended throughout that I found memorable included some of December. The IgV committee has it the course of the meeting. extraordinary clinical results being obtained fi rst meeting at the end of February and on the basis of some basic scientific planning will start straight away, so look The conference was preceded by three observations, presented by Jörg Tschopp; out for details soon. workshops in Mucosal Immunology and Gary Nolan’s tour de force introducing (organised by Ken Beagley), Tumour the technique of “mass cytometry” (as if fl ow Also a reminder that there a number of ASI Immunology (Alejandro Lopez), and (for cytometers weren’t big enough already!). sponsored visitors coming to Melbourne the fi rst time) Infection and Immunity (Matt in the next few weeks that include Jack Sweet and Ash Mansell). These workshops The tradition of selecting an outstanding Bennink (NIH, US), Jean-Laurent provide the opportunity for more open and Australasian immunologist as the Burnet Casanova (Rockefeller University, US) extended discussions of specialist topics, and Orator was maintained in 2009. Jim (26 February) and Janko Nikolic-Zugic were very popular, as always. The Tumour McCluskey gave an elegant description of 16 ASI Inc. Newsletter March 2010 the physical basis of T cell recognition, to to support post docs. The Immunology the cost of the conference. Mike Pickford which his group has contributed over many and Cell Biology & ASI prizes for the best and ASN Events were professional and years. Student Posters were awarded to Annie Xin responsive in their management of the (WEHI), Vivian Turner (Garvan), and Lauren conference, and provided a corporate This year the Lafferty Debate concerned McKnight (Centenary). Lauren also won the memory that made the job of the “In the immune system, the importance of BD Science Communication Award. There organising committee so much easier. a cell type is inversely proportional to its was a closely fought contest for the ASI New But, in the end, the success of the meeting frequency”, which is the immunological Investigator Award, won by E. Bridie Day came down to the enthusiasm of the parallel of the popular hypothesis that size (Uni Melbourne). ASI has also recognised delegates, generous in giving their time matters. Men and women traditionally hold the particular diffi culties faced by women to present their data at the meeting, asking opposing views on this topic, as refl ected in in science, and the inaugural “Women in questions, and contributing to the life of the composition of the teams. In the end, Dale Immunology” breakfast, organised by Judith the Society. Godfrey, Ian van Driel and Jose Villadangos Greer, was a great success. held off the attack from Ranjeny Thomas, The organising committee for ASI 2009 Delia Nelson and Sarah Oracki. Alan Baxter Convening this meeting was a rewarding was: chaired the debate (i.e. worked the crowd) experience, and I must pay tribute to the Chris Schmidt (Chair), Shayna Street brilliantly to help make this one of the most other members of the organising committee (Secretary), Christian Engwerda (Chair, entertaining and memorable Lafferty Debates who effi ciently shared the load of selecting Program Subcommittee), Maher Gandhi in living memory. and inviting speakers, talking to sponsors, (Treasurer), Ken Beagley, J. Alejandro and attending to the many challenges that López (Travel Bursary Co-ordinator); Matt One of the major roles ASI plays in the conferences offer. Thanks also to the many Sweet, Imogen Gillions (Student Function immunological community is the support who effi ciently scored abstracts, judged Co-ordinator), Judith Greer (Co-ordinator of students. Twenty-four students from posters and chaired sessions. And, of course, of the ASI New Investigator Award & interstate and North Queensland won travel thanks to our sponsors BD, CSL, ICB, and Women in Immunology Breakfast), Ray bursaries to attend the meeting and for the all of the supporters and exhibitors. Their Steptoe (BD Communication Award Co- fi rst time this year, two awards were made support defrays a considerable portion of ordinator), Alan Baxter, Allan Cripps, Denise Doolan; and Raj Eri. Chris Schmidt

Organising committee: Imogen Gillions, Alan Baxter, Matt Sweet, Denise Doolan, Judith Greer, Alejandro López, Ray Steptoe, Chris Former President, Phil Hodgkin catches up on news Engwerda, Chris Schmidt, Ken Beagley of the burgeoning careers of former students Cindy Ma & Elissa Deenick, both now at the Garvan A girl from Oz and a boy from Godzone – the human face of ASI. Hon. Secretary Su Heinzel with Alex McLellan, University of Otago, NZ

Lafferty debate: The backs of Mr Cool – Robert Brink, Sarah Oracki, Dale Godfrey, Garvan Institute Ranjeny Thomas, Ian van Driel, Delia Nelson, & Jose Villadangos ...

... and their fronts: Villadangos, Thomas, Godfrey, Nelson, van Driel, Oracki The relief of a job well done: Chris Engwerda, Alejandro Lopez & Chris Schmidt

17 ASI Inc. Newsletter March 2010 Thoughts after my First Year Erika Duan

Beginning with the quote ‘Science is a antibody treatment experiments or simply wonderful thing if one does not have to stick with my FACS. earn one’s living at it,’ is probably not going to make me sound like the most Of course, it is not the necessity of grant optimistic PhD student in the world, or winning and how pivotal it has become to even a mildly optimistic one. But the the survival of a research laboratory that person who fi rst said this was actually has me slightly disheartened. It is what Albert Einstein, and maybe if I agree leads down from it and what perpetuates with one of the smartest men on Earth, it that disillusions me. I am talking about then other people might think that I am the ‘publish or perish’ syndrome. Once, in smart too. Then again, maybe not. more innocent times, I used to think that an idea was an idea and a research paper In all honesty, I did start my Honours the mere manifestation of an elegantly degree as blissfully optimistic as you and completely explored one. And whilst could get. Finding cures for emphysema! publishing would one day be a career Discovering early biomarkers for the necessity, much like how paying overdue diagnosis of lung cancer! Saving the bills is a monthly necessity, the most world one animal model at a time! Ten important thing would be to always only months then passed and with Honours conduct the experiments which I believed completed and eye bags a permanent in. Choosing to explore scientifi c questions feature of my face, one might imagine because I felt that they were interesting or that I would have started to see things important ones, and not because I needed to a bit differently. But oh no. ‘Finding maintain my position in some metaphorical I will eventually end up. To be honest, I cures for emphysema,’ read my PhD rat race. See what I now mean when I told do not think I am hardworking enough candidature. ‘Discovering early you that I started out as blissfully optimistic or consistently good enough to excel in a biomarkers for the diagnosis of lung – not to mention idealistic – as imaginably research career. My brain seems to work cancer! Saving the world one animal possible? Don’t worry though; attendance only properly for a maximum of two hours model at a time!’ at a research career workshop last year, a day. But when I start to imagine three where I was informed that all successful different Erikas roaming around in three So has anything now changed? I still fellowship awardees publish in Nature different parallel worlds, where one listened think science is a wonderful thing. I and preferably more than once, has cured to her father and applied to Medicine, survive decently on my living stipend. me of all my youthful idealism. Success one listened to her mother and applied to And yet, if Albert Einstein came up now sounds like something one can only Dentistry and one lured a rich boyfriend to me and told me that science is a achieve if one has the fortuitous chance of and is now travelling around Europe eating wonderful thing if one does not have publishing in Nature four times in a row French macarons and hoarding Louise to earn one’s living at it, I would gladly whilst blindfolded, standing on one leg and Vuitton, I really believe that I am at my high fi ve him and weep some tears of maimed in your pipetting arm. happiest exactly right here. For me, nothing bittersweet commiseration. would be more wonderful than to have a Attempted witticisms aside, there is good piece of translatable research, one day Perhaps it is because I have fi nally something that I am really quite scared of. come out of my research degree and then witnessed the excruciating pain and I am scared that people in the scientifi c have a career path. That is what truly keeps effort that my supervisors undergo community will one day forget that I am me going, although I suppose, my thoughts when writing their NHMRC grants. an incredibly stupid human being who may change again by next year in April. Self-fl agellation must be a picnic in the makes a lot of mistakes. I can understand park compared to all the writing, data why we would desire nothing but constant reshuffl ing, re-writing, formatting, peer- faultlessness from our medical doctors; reviewing and ‘novel and potentially each decision they make directly impacts therapeutic’ research idea proposing on the quality of an individual’s life. But to that must go on in the months of January expect the same from our researchers (and and February. Except now I realise that PhD students) just does not seem quite fair. it does not just stop there. Because Sometimes, failure and stupidity are just a then is the torturously long wait until whisper away from the touch of scientifi c November, when the list of successful serendipity. NHMRC grants are publicly released and I can gauge whether it is a good Approaching the end of my fi rst PhD time to suggest a series of monoclonal year, I am no longer sure exactly where

18 ASI Inc. Newsletter March 2010

ASI Student Page An invitation and a request to all ASI members I voluntarily chose a career in science, freaked me out when I travelled east for the to contribute copy that they think yet I’m still in denial about the necessity Gold Coast ASI conference last year. might be interesting, useful, of being an eloquent writer. After staring historical, humorous or thought intently at a blank screen, and checking Our student committee is currently provoking. every email account I have, multiple times, brainstorming ideas for the student function I fi nally realise, there will be no epiphany. and we greatly welcome your input. If there ¾ We invite our student The perfect fi rst line will not come while I’m is something in particular you guys are keen membership to voice their compulsively refreshing the cricket score. I for or ideas about how the night should be views on issues that interest will have to start putting words on digital organised, drop me a line baca.chan@grs. or directly concern them. paper, even if incoherent, because apparently, uwa.edu.au. I am currently obsessed with It’s our newsletter, so let’s you can’t edit a blank page. This is one of the a ‘speed networking’ layout to encourage ¾ support it and strive to make it fi rst lessons I have learnt since embarking the initial interaction between students and even better. on the quest known as a PhD. the ‘very important people who are doubly important because we need them to give us ¾ The ASI newsletter comes out I have just completed the second year of my jobs, more conventionally known as’ invited 4 times a year and we welcome PhD, which of course means I am in my third speakers. Students – 60 seconds, highlight your contributions. and fi nal year, but that is slightly terrifying your strengths, outline your interests and put to admit and I can feel tiny palpitations just out there what you’re looking for. Invited ¾ AND NOW YOU COULD thinking of it. Asking someone how far into speakers – 60 seconds, their research focus, WIN $200 FOR THE BEST their PhD they are is just as touchy a question how their labs are run, how much money they ARTICLE PUBLISHED IN THE as asking someone their age. Remember, have to spend, especially for fun things like NEWSLETTER! round up the answer. conference romps. Early days yet, idea may need refi ning. I live in the beautiful city of Perth, the host city for this year’s ASI conference. We would Better save some writing juice for my annual love to see all of you venturing west this year. report – ‘Progress made? “Why, of course! This side of Australia is defi nitely well worth Oh, you want details…”’ checking out, if not for the numerous beaches with perfect conditions and the endless sunny Happy productive researching for 2010! days, then for the disorientating feeling of “wait, if I’m heading north, shouldn’t the Baca Chan ocean be on the other side?”, which certainly ASI Student Representative 2010

UPCOMING LECTURES & CONFERENCES

World Congress of Virus and Infections 40th Annual Meeting of the German 8th Asia Pacifi c Congress of Allergy, 2010 (WCVI-2010) – Voice of Virologists Society of Immunology (DGfI) Asthma and Clinical Immunology 2010 July 31–August 3, 2010 September 22–25, 2010 (APCAACI 2010) – From Bench to Busan, South Korea Leipzig, Germany Bedside: Evidence-based Practice http://www.bitlifesciences.com/wcvi2010/ [email protected] November 6–9, 2010 www.immunologie2010.de Singapore XI International Congress in [email protected] Reproductive Immunology: Reproductive 2010 Australasian Sexual Health http://www.apcaaci2010.org/ Immunobiology at the Great Barrier Reef Conference August 15–19, 2010 October 18–20, 2010 10th World Congress on Infl ammation Cairns, Queensland Sydney, New South Wales June 25–29, 2011 www.icri2010.org www.sexualhealthconference.com.au Paris, France Chair of local organising committee: www.infl ammation2011.com [email protected] ASHM Australasian HIV/AIDS Conference 2010 4th International Conference on B cells October 20–22, 2010 and Autoimmunity Sydney, New South Wales Satellite meeting to 14th International www.hivaidsconference.com.au Congress of Immunology August 19–21, 2010 Nara, Japan http://web.rcai.riken.jp/bcellevent/index. html 19 ASI Inc. Newsletter March 2010

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