Facilities are available for graduate studies leading to the degrees of MSc and PhD. Entry into these courses normally requires a Bachelor of Science degree with honours (class I or IIA). The following fields of research are available. Structure-function studies of surface membrane proteins on plasma cells. Molecular basis of systemic and organ-specific autoimmune diseases, identification and molecular cloning of target autoantigens, delineation of the role of T lymphocytes in the immunopathogenesis of autoimmune gastritis and mechanisms of tolerance to extra thymic gastric autoantigens. Allergy: role of T cells to defined grass pollen allergens in the genesis of allergic responses. Developmental molecular biology: regulation of gene expression of a defined gastric mucosal gene, the gastric proton pump. Molecular biology of the Golgi complex: identification and cloning of Golgi autoantigens; identification and definition of the molecular signals which retain proteins in the Golgi. Cytokines: role in human diseases. Thymus biology: the role of the thymic stroma in the inthrathymic development of T lymphocytes; generation, identification, and functional characterisation of monoclonal antibodies to the thymic stroma. The role of MHC molecules in antigen presentation and immunological tolerance; structure and function of T cell receptors; fine specificity of T cell receptors.
Inquires should be directed to the coordinator or the head of the department.