Immunology and Inflammation Programme

The immune system is a complex network of specialized cells and organs that has evolved to defend the body against attacks by "foreign" invaders. When functioning properly, its fights off infections by agents such as bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites. When it malfunctions, however, it can unleash a torrent of diseases, from allergies and autoimmune diseases, to cancer and AIDS. The Immunology and Inflammation Programme in our department serves to provide a platform for the study of the genetic control and mechanisms of immune function and development, especially the inflammatory process. Most if not all diseases in humans have an inflammatory component and an understanding on how this process can be regulated and harnessed will aid in the treatment and management of many immune mediated diseases like autoimmune diseases, allergies and tissue rejection. An understanding of immunological mechanisms also forms the basis for the understanding of other diseases like cancer, atherosclerosis and dementia. As such, the programme will naturally collaborate with the other programmes in the department, Faculty and other life science initiatives in NUS and beyond.

Objectives:

1. Develop a research programme in immunology and inflammation with emphasis on T cell biology, immunogenetics and inflammation, in synergy with the study of other immune-effector cells and the regulation of leukocyte interaction with the endothelium.
2. Identify etiologic mechanisms and susceptibility genes in a model autoimmune disease systemic lupus erythematosus or SLE.
3. Interact and collaborate with other investigators in the Faculty, NUS and other international centres in common areas or research in immunogenetics, T cell, Phagocyte and the role of endothelial cell biology in the inflammatory process.
4. Develop student and staff exchanges with international centres to enhance research and education.
5. Contribute expertise in the teaching in this area in undergraduate and postgraduate levels.

Current Strengths:

1. Department of Physiology

Koh Dow Rhoon has been working on immune mechanisms in autoimmune diseases using SLE as a model disease. Inroads have been made into the genetic contributions of lupus in the murine NZB/W model and current efforts are directed at further characterizations of these genetic loci in mice and humans. Work on immunobiology of the SARS virus and host responses and development of a vaccine has commenced recently.

Alirio J. Melendez's main focus of research is in the area of antigen-receptor signalling in phagocytes and mast cells, dissecting potential modulators of the inflammatory response using murine models of inflammation.

Lina Lim H.K. has recently joined the department and is working on the regulatory mechanisms of immune-endothelial cell interactions during the inflammatory response and the role of inflammation on tumorigenesis.

Lim Yaw Chyn has recently joined the department as a cross-appointee with the Department of Pathology. She is investigating the mechanisms underlying the interactions of tumor cells with the endothelium, with an emphasis on the functional integrity of adhesion molecules on lymphoma and endothelial cells.

2. Collaborators within NUS

• Kok-Yong Fong, Department of Medicine, NUS
• Hwee-Siew Howe, Department of Rheumatology, Allergy & Immunology, TTSH
• Stephen Hsu, Department of Medicine, NUS
• Hui-Kim Yap, Department of Paediatrics, NUS 
• Vincent Chow, Department of Microbiology, NUS
• SAVING- SARS Virology, Immunology Network Group, NUS
  

3. International Collaborators

• Tak-W Mak, Amgen Research Institute, Toronto, Canada
• Klaus Pfeffer, University of Dusseldorf, Dusseldorf, Germany
• William Harnett, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, UK
• Margaret M. Harnett, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
• Andres Floto, University of Cambridge, UK
• Mauro Perretti, William Harvey Research Institute, London, UK
• Crucell N.V., The Netherlands
• Baxter Healthcare Corporation, USA

Recruitment:

New investigators with expertise in the following areas are sought:

• Immunogenetics with emphasis on genome scans, SNP genotyping and microarray work
• Proteomics, with expertise in protein chemistry, 2D gels and mass spectrometry
• Cell-cell immune interactions, T cell function, MHC tetramer work
• Cell signaling
• Angiogenesis
  

Experience in teaching at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels will be preferable.

We welcome enquiries for:

• MSc. or Ph.D. research studentship and scholarship
• Short-term research attachments
• Post-doctoral fellowships
• Academic/industrial collaborations

Contact:

A/P Alirio J. Melendez
MD9, #04
Department of Physiology,
National University of Singapore
2 Medical Drive.
Singapore 117597  
Tel: +65 6874 1697
Fax: +65 6778 8161
Email: phsmraj@nus.edu.sg