Larisa Labzin - the newest ARC Future Fellow!

We are beyond thrilled to share the news that Larisa Labzin has been awarded an ARC Future Fellowship with her project titled How innate immune signalling dictates avian susceptibility to viruses!!! Larisa is a truly deserved recipient of this award, and her research into avian immunology and highly pathogenic avian influenza virus (HPAIV) is now supported for four years!!! A massive congratulations to you from the Inflammasome Lab!!! 

ARC Media Release

Project Title: How innate immune signalling dictates avian susceptibility to viruses

Project Summary: This project aims to understand how innate immune signalling dictates whether different bird species will tolerate or succumb to viral infection. Highly pathogenic avian influenza virus (HPAIV) threatens Australian livestock industries and wild animal populations. Innate immune responses need to restrict viral replication without causing tissue damage. This project will reveal how innate immune signalling differs between HPAIV-susceptible (chicken) and tolerant (duck) species. Expected outcomes include novel insights into avian immunology, new approaches to mitigate HPAIV emergence and new strategies to predict species susceptibility to HPAIV for significant agricultural and conservation benefits. 

National Interest Test Statement: Emerging viruses, like highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAIV), cause severe disease and death in poultry and livestock and threaten wild bird populations. Preventing the emergence and spread of avian influenza is a major priority for the World Health Organisation. Some birds (e.g., ducks) can control influenza infection, while other birds (e.g., chickens) cannot. Understanding why this occurs could prevent the emergence of new HPAIV strains and allow accurate prediction of which wild birds are susceptible to HPAIV to inform protection efforts. This project aims to uncover key differences in the immune response between chickens and ducks to determine why chickens are susceptible to HPAIV while ducks are protected. With this knowledge, new approaches for boosting avian immunity to prevent HPAIV emergence can be identified, thereby protecting both domestic and wild animals. Additionally, new ways to predict the risk of HPAIV decimating our wild bird populations can be developed so that future HPAIV outbreaks are managed more effectively. The proposed research will provide agricultural, conservation and economic benefits for Australia and increase fundamental immunology knowledge. This proposal will also provide world-class immunology and molecular biology training to the next generation of scientists. Through ongoing science communication and outreach, research findings will be translated into practice by sharing our results with industry, collaborators, and the public.