This project is closed for international students.
Project summary
- Program
- PhD
- Location
- Dutton Park
- Research area
- Biological sciences, Biomedical and clinical sciences
Project description
Autoimmune diseases, such as lupus and type 1 diabetes, are debilitating, incurable diseases that affect 1 in 10 people globally, costing over AU$150 billion annually. They are marked by the expansion of self-reactive T and B cells, the former known to mediate tissue damage, while the latter are notorious for generating autoantibodies that attack the body. Current treatments are broad and non-specific and typically result in significant side effects with increased morbidity. The lack of therapeutic innovation over the past half-century is partly due to our limited understanding of how and where self-reactive B and T cells are regulated within the body. Bridging this knowledge gap is imperative to developing much-needed targeted therapies. Our group has discovered that T cells suppress self-reactive B cells before they enter the bloodstream.
This exciting discovery presents a unique opportunity to characterise a novel B cell tolerance checkpoint with promising therapeutic potential, with a focus on delineating the mechanisms by which Tregs inhibit pathogenic B cell responses, and pioneer a Treg-mediated self-reactive B-cell elimination (TreatBee) approach to ameliorate preclinical mouse models of autoimmunity. This knowledge will serve as the bedrock for innovative therapies that selectively target self-reactive B cells while sparing protective ones.
Utilising cutting-edge approaches, including multiparameter flow cytometry, imaging, multiomics, and animal models, the candidate will uncover molecular mechanisms that underpin this novel tolerance checkpoint. The findings will unravel new knowledge that sets the foundation for the development of new strategies for diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus and type 1 diabetes.
Research environment
The Yu/Chen/Canete laboratory
The successful candidate will join a dynamic and interdisciplinary research team in a supportive academic environment. Our team is composed of highly collaborative, passionate academic leaders, post-doctoral scientists, research assistants and PhD students with diverse backgrounds. We have expertise in state-of-the-art high-throughput sequencing technologies, bioinformatics, multi-dimensional flow cytometry and T cell immunology. We provide a unique, collaborative environment and opportunity to develop diverse skill sets and make impactful discoveries.
Frazer Institute
The Frazer Institute at the University of Queensland offers a dynamic and collaborative research environment dedicated to advancing biomedical innovation. Situated in Brisbane, a vibrant and rapidly growing hub for science and technology, the Institute provides access to world-class facilities and resources in a stunning subtropical setting.
As a leading research centre, the Frazer Institute fosters interdisciplinary collaboration, bringing together experts in immunology, molecular biology, and translational medicine. Its strategic partnerships with hospitals, biotech industries, and global research networks enable researchers to translate discoveries into real-world applications.
The Institute is equipped with state-of-the-art technologies, including single-cell genomics, high-resolution imaging, organoid platforms, and advanced proteomics. These cutting-edge tools empower researchers to explore complex biological questions with unprecedented precision.
With its emphasis on mentorship, innovation, and impact-driven research, the Frazer Institute offers exceptional opportunities for scientists aiming to contribute to transformative discoveries in health and medicine.
The Frazer Institute is committed to diversity and equal opportunity and the development of emerging researchers at the highest level.
Scholarship
This is an Fellowship support scheme scholarship project that aligns with a recently awarded Australian Government grant.
The scholarship includes:
- living stipend of $36,400 per annum tax free (2025 rate), indexed annually
- your tuition fees covered
- single overseas student health cover (OSHC).
Learn more about the Fellowship support scheme scholarship.
Supervisor
Principal supervisor
Preferred educational background
Your application will be assessed on a competitive basis.
We take into account your:
- previous academic record
- publication record
- honours and awards
- employment history
A working knowledge of immunology, molecular biology techniques, and flow cytometry would be of benefit to someone working on this project.
How to apply
This project requires candidates to commence no later than Research Quarter 2, 2026. You can start in an earlier research quarter.
You must submit an expression of interest (EOI) by the closing date for the research quarter (RQ) you want to start in:
Before you apply
- Check your eligibility for the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD).
- Prepare your documentation.
- If you have any questions about whether the project is suitable for your research interests, contact Dr Pablo Canete (p.fernandezdecanetenieto@uq.edu.au).
When you apply
To apply, submit an expression of interest (EOI) for the program. You don't need to apply separately for the project or scholarship. How to submit an EOI
In your EOI, complete the 'Scholarship/Sponsorship' section with the following details:
- Are you applying for an advertised project: 'Yes'
- Project: 'Fellowship project scholarship'
- Scholarship Code Listed in the Advertisement: CANETE-311025
- Link to Scholarship Advertisement: https://study.uq.edu.au/study-options/phd-mphil-professional-doctorate/projects/understanding-mechanisms-which-regulatory-t-cells-control-self-reactive-b-cells