Conventional management of chronic disease in Indigenous  Australians assumes the causes of disease are similar to non-Indigenous Australians. Outcomes from chronic disease are typically worse for Indigenous Australians for a combination of reasons but significantly the unique causes of illness in Indigenous Australians is unclear. Using advances in genomics, cellular immunology and transcriptomics  we can for the first time work with communities to resolve the unique causes of endemic disease. Furthermore, rapid application of these technologies allows us to potentially identify new treatment targets based on the cause of disease.

Projects will provide the opportunity to investigate the cause of immune disease in Indigenous Australian individuals and their families. Students will work with both human samples and CRISPR mouse models of disease and as part of their project develop skills related to genomics, molecular biology, transcriptomics and human and murine immunology. The projects aim to both illuminate improved understanding of the fundamental biology and causes of immune disease, and utilise this knowledge to improve treatments in community.