Rossjohn Laboratory

Understanding immune function and dysfunction.

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Professor Jamie Rossjohn

Professor Jamie Rossjohn FAA FAHMS FLSW FMedSci FRS

Prof. Jamie Rossjohn’s research is centred on an understanding immunity. He is currently a NHMRC Investigator L3 Fellow (2022-26) and previously an ARC Australian Laureate Fellow (2017-21), NHMRC Australia Fellow (2011-16) and ARC Federation Fellow (2007-11). He was the former Head of the Infection and Immunity Program (2016-19) of the Biomedicine Discovery Institute. In 2022, Prof. Rossjohn was elected as a Fellow of the Royal Society and Associate Member of EMBO.

Prof. Rossjohn is known for his contributions to the understanding the molecular basis underpinning immunity. He has 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.

He has unearthed structural mechanisms of HLA polymorphism impacting on drug and food hypersensitivities, as well as Natural Killer cell receptor recognition. He has pioneered our molecular understanding of lipid-based immunity by T cells, revealing that it can differ fundamentally from peptide-mediated adaptive immunity.

Recently he 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, he has published > 465 papers and mentored numerous researchers towards obtaining higher degrees and nationally competitive fellowships.

What We Do

The laboratory is currently investigating two broad, yet interrelated areas addressing pivotal molecular interactions in immunity: Our program is inter-linked to create a complete systematic study, namely host recognition, responses developed by the pathogen, and drug design to modulate and/or counteract these events.

Here we aim to provide a fundamental advancement of knowledge of events that are central to innate and adaptive immunity. Understanding the structural and biophysical basis of MHC-restriction, TCR engagement, the structural correlates of T-cell signalling is significant; they represent central questions in the field of adaptive immunity. Moreover, investigating the structural basis of T-cell allorecognition, and T-cell mediated autoimmunity, will collectively provide clear insights into immune dysfunction. In addition, focusing on generic components of innate immunity is important, as the mechanisms underlying innate recognition, is simply unknown.

Our Highlights

Recent Fellowship and Award Success

  • Prof. Jamie Rossjohn elected Fellow of the Royal Society
  • Prof. Jamie Rossjohn NHMRC Investigator Leadership 3 Fellowship
  • Dr Wael Awad ARC DECRA Fellow
  • Dr Adam Shahine ARC DECRA Fellow
  • Dr Martin Davey ARC DECRA Fellow
  • Dr Adam Shahine The Dean’s Awards for Excellence in Research – Early Career Researcher
  • Dr Anouk von Borstel ASI Postdoc Career Advancement Award
  • Dr Wael Awad 2022 EPPENDORF EDMAN ECR AWARD
  • Dr Karin Schmidt Marie Skłodowska-Curie Fellow
  • Dr Jerome Le Nours ARC Future fellow (2016-20)
  • Prof. Jamie Rossjohn ARC Australian Laureate Fellow (2016-21)

Academia-Industry

Mentorship

  • Future students

Outreach

Our Current Projects

The academic research program within this laboratory is concerned with defining the key molecular interactions underlying receptor recognition events that are the primary determinants of innate and adaptive immunity. The laboratory’s research has provided an understanding of the basis of peptide, metabolite and lipid presentation, T-cell triggering, aberrant T-cell reactivity, monomorphic and polymorphic Natural Killer (NK) receptor recognition.

The team’s research on anti-viral immunity has provided an understanding of the factors that shape MHC-restriction (e.g. Immunity, 2003, 2016; Nature Immunol, 2005, 2007, 2015; Nature Rev Immunol 2018). Moreover, we have demonstrated how the preTCR, a receptor crucial for T-cell development, functions by autonomous dimerization (Nature, 2010). In relation to aberrant T-cell reactivity, our team has provided insight into alloreactivity (Immunity, 2009), Celiac Disease (Immunity, 2012; NSMB, 2014; Cell 2019) and HLA-linked drug hypersensitivities (Nature, 2012; NSMB 2014). Regarding innate and innate-like recognition, the team has shed light into how Natural Killer cell receptors interact with their cognate ligands (Nature 2011; J. Exp. Med. 2008, 2016; Nature Immunol 2013; NSMB 2017; Cell 2017; PNAS 2018).

Further, we have provided fundamental insight into how T cells recognise lipid-based antigens in the context of protective and aberrant immunity (Nature, 2007; Nature Immunol 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2016, 2018; Nature Comms. 2016). Most recently, our team identified the long sought after ligand for MAIT cells, namely showing that MAIT cells are activated by metabolites of vitamin B (Nature 2012, 2014; Nat Commun 2012; Nat Immunol 2016, 2017, 2020). The industrial research program of the laboratory includes a close collaboration with Janssen (one of the Pharmaceutical companies of Johnson & Johnson), for the development of new therapies to treat Celiac Disease; and Immutep, to enhance our understanding of T-cell signalling and the development of innovative biotechnology products.

Research Projects

Congrats Jamie on being elected as an EMBO Associate Member

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EMBO elects 67 new members and associate members They join the EMBO community of more than 1,900 leading life scientists in Europe and beyond By EMBO Communications 6 July 2022 – EMBO announces that 67 researchers have been elected to its membership. Through this lifelong honour, new EMBO Members and Associate Members are recognized for their […]

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Jamie featured in Monash Lens

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‘It’s discovery science. You may have a setback, but you don’t take it lying down’ Original article in Monash Lens by Chris Johnston Professor Jamie Rossjohn is internationally recognised for using structural biology to investigate how T cells can respond to viral infections or cause autoimmunity. Now, he’s been named a fellow of the oldest […]

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Listen to our Artist in Residence, Erica talk about her Multisensory books on the NextSense Institute Podcast

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The NextSense Institute Podcast (formerly the Renwick Centre Podcast) is a regular series that discusses hearing and vision education and health- everything from new resources, emerging ideas and hot-button issues! Trudy talks to our artist in residence, Erica Tandori and Stu Favilla (from  Interaction Design, Swinburne University) about developing accessible science content for people with […]

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Congratulations Jamie – elected to The Royal Society

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Professor Jamie Rossjohn, one of Australia’s leading scientists, has been elected as a Fellow of the Royal Society (FRS) – one of the world’s most prestigious scientific bodies – in recognition of his transformative contributions to science. The Royal Society, established in the 1660s, is the oldest scientific academy in continuous existence in the world. […]

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