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Jamie Rossjohn

Professor Jamie Rossjohn

Professor

School of Medicine

Overview

Prof. Jamie Rossjohn, FAA FLSW FMedSci

My research is centered on an understanding immunity.

I am currently an ARC Australian Laureate Fellow (2017-2021) and previously a NHMRC Australia Fellow (2011-2016) and ARC Federation Fellow (2007-11). I am a Professor of Structural Immunology at Cardiff University and the Head of the Infection and Immunity Program of the Biomedicine Discovery Institute at Monash University.

I am known for my contributions to the understanding the molecular basis underpinning immunity. I have used structural biology to explain pre-T-cell receptor (TCR) self-association in T-cell development, and how the TCR specifically recognises polymorphic Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) molecules in the context of viral immunity and aberrant T-cell reactivity. I have unearthed structural mechanisms of HLA polymorphism impacting on drug and food hypersensitivities, as well as Natural Killer cell receptor recognition. I have pioneered our molecular understanding of lipid-based immunity by T cells, revealing that it can differ fundamentally from peptide-mediated adaptive immunity. Recently my team has provided a structural basis of how vitamin B metabolites can be presented and recognised by the immune system, revealing a new class of antigen.

Collectively, I have published > 350 papers and mentored numerous researchers towards obtaining higher degrees and nationally competitive fellowships.

Publication

2024

2023

2022

2021

2020

2019

2018

2017

2016

2015

2014

2013

2012

2011

2010

2009

Articles

Book sections

  • Eckle, S. B. G., Rossjohn, J. and McCluskey, J. 2013. Alloreactivity. In: Zachary, A. A. and Leffell, M. S. eds. Transplantation Immunology., Vol. 1034. Methods in Molecular Biology Springer, pp. 3-39., (10.1007/978-1-62703-493-7_1)

Research

Current projects:

The academic research program within this laboratory is focused on defining the key molecular interactions underlying receptor recognition events that are the primary determinants of immunity.

1) Investigating lipid-based immunity in the context of Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection.

2) Investigating the role of lipids in skin-based allergies (e.g. contact hypersensitivities).

3) A chemical/biochemical study into vitamin B metabolite recognition.

4) Investigating T cell mediated autoimmunity (e.g. Celiac Disease).

Our research program uses numerous biochemical and biophysical techniques including protein expression and purification, surface plasmon resonance and three-dimensional structure determination with the use of the Australian Synchrotron. Further, cellular immunology techniques are taught within the laboratories of the collaborators of the Rossjohn laboratory. The industrial research program of the laboratory includes a close collaboration with Janssen, for the development of new therapies to treat psoriasis and rheumatoid arthritis.

Successful funding applications:

The laboratory is funded by the National Health & Medical Research Council (NHMRC), the Australian Research Council (ARC), the ARC Centre of Excellence in Advanced Molecular Imaging, Cancer Council Victoria, National Institutes of Health, Worldwide Cancer Research and Janssen.

Recent research impacts:

http://faobmb.com/2017/07/26/winner-of-faobmb-award-for-research-excellence-2017/

https://acmedsci.ac.uk/fellows/fellows-directory/ordinary-fellows/fellow/Professor-Jamie-Rossjohn-0020978

http://www.afr.com/news/janssen-biotech-funds-monash-rheumatoid-arthritis-research-20170601-gwibpz

https://www.veski.org.au/professors-rossjohn-mccluskey