Graduate Research Degree Awarded - Samira Imran

Congratulations to Samira Imran - Graduate Research Degree Awarded 3 February 2023.

Degree: PhD
Supervisors: A/Prof Boris Novakovic, Prof Richard Saffery, Dr. Melanie Neeland, A/Prof Kirsten Perett
Advisory Committee: Prof Vera Ignjatovic

Thesis Title: Epigenetic dysregulation underpinning immune cell dysfunction in food allergy

Thesis Summary: This thesis assessed epigenomic signatures associated with immune development and food allergy. Comparisons of immune cell epigenomes from infants and adolescents revealed age-specific signatures, translating into functional differences in immune responses. Moreover, immune cells from food-allergic adolescents are epigenetically and transcriptionally distinct, compared to non-allergic adolescents. This is the first study to show that multi-food allergic adolescents are epigenetically unique. These findings improve our understanding of immune responses in adolescents and will help address issues faced by this clinical group.

Date awarded: 3 February 2023