Ee Sin Chen

BioI received a PhD from the University of Queensland, Australia on Varicella-Zoster virus evasion of the Type I IFN system before doing a postdoctoral position with Prof. Bryan Williams at Monash Institute of medical Research (now Hudson Medical Research institute) on host-pathogen interactions and sensing of pathogens. Currently working under Prof. Linfa Wang and heading up the bat immunology projects, focusing on their unique inflammatory response to pathogens and immune-tolerance.Research InterestsMy research area focuses on the host-pathogenresponse, particularly with regards to sensing of viruses and bacteria by the Pattern Recognition Receptors (PRRs) and the signaling cascade that is triggered. This has expanded to focus on the host inflammatory response, especially activation of the inflammasome. The current work focuses on bats (Pteropus alecto, Eonycterus spelaea) as a unique model (in vitro and in vivo) due to their apparent tolerance of pathogens and limited systemic immune response to these pathogens. We hope to identify novel targets from studying a natural host that can then be used for altering the human immune response and dampening the excessive immune-response sometimes produced by humans during infection. The projects include various artificial stimuli with ligands and bacteria in addition to multiple viruses: Influenza, Dengue Virus, Zika Virus, Orthoreovirus (Melaka Virus), MERS, SARS, Paramyxoviruses etc. We are also studying the basal physiology of the host, their unique immunological tolerance, metabolic resistance and anti-ageing capacity.PublicationsZhang Q, Zeng LP, Zhou P,Irving AT, Li S, Shi ZL*, Wang LF*. IFNAR2-dependent gene expression profileinduced by IFN-?? in Pteropus alecto bat cells and impact of IFNAR2 knockout onvirus infection. PLoS One. 2017 Aug 9;12(8): PMID: 28793350Zhou P, Chionh YT, Irac SE, AhnM, Jia Ng JH, Fossum E, Bogen B, Ginhoux F, Irving AT*, Dutertre CA*, WangLF. Unlocking bat immunology: establishment of Pteropus alecto bonemarrow-derived dendritic cells and macrophages. Sci Rep. 2016 Dec 9;6 PMID:27934903Ahn M, Cui J, Irving AT*, Wang LF*. Unique Loss ofthe PYHIN Gene Family in Bats Amongst Mammals: Implications for InflammasomeSensing. Sci Rep. 2016 Feb 24;6 PMID: 26906452Irving AT, Mimuro H,Kufer TA, Lo C, Wheeler R, Turner LJ, Thomas BJ, Malosse C, Gantier MP,Casillas LN, Votta BJ, Bertin J, Boneca IG, Sasakawa C, Philpott DJ, FerreroRL*, Kaparakis-Liaskos M*. The immune receptor NOD1 and kinase RIP2 interactwith bacterial peptidoglycan on early endosomes to promote autophagy andinflammatory signaling. Cell Host Microbe. 2014 May 14;15(5):623-35. PMID:24746552Irving AT, Wang D,Vasilevski O, Latchoumanin O, Kozer N, Clayton AH, Szczepny A, Morimoto H, XuD, Williams BR*, Sadler AJ*. Regulation of actin dynamics by protein kinase R control ofgelsolin enforces basal innate immune defense. Immunity. 2012 May 25;36(5):795-806.PMID: 22633459 /(_M_)| | | | /~V~/