Dr Janin Chandra
Dr

Janin Chandra

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Phone: 
+61 7 344 36976

Background

I received my Master of Science from the Johann-Wolfgang-Goethe Universitaet in Frankfurt am Main in Germany. I completed my Master’s project at the Paul Ehrlich Federal Institute for Sera and Vaccines in Langen where I investigated the impact of vaccinia virus‐induced type I interferons on T cells. Between 2007 and 2011, I completed my PhD studies in the Department of Experimental Immunology of the University of Zurich in Switzerland mentored by Prof. Burkhard Becher, where I investigated the role of NFkB‐inducing kinase (NIK) in cell‐mediated immunity and autoimmunity. It was then that I specialized in professional antigen-presenting cells and their properties in health and disease.

In 2012, I received a 3-year post-doctoral research fellowship to join Prof. Ian Frazer's research team at the University of Queensland (UQ). My studies here focussed on the role of different types of professional antigen-presenting cells in human papillomavirus (HPV)-driven immune suppression that enables development of cervical cancer and a proportion of head and neck cancers. In 2015, I joined the team of biotech company Admedus Vaccines Pty Ltd. as Senior Scientist, with the aim to develop immunotherapeutic vaccine strategies to combat chronic herpes-simplex 2 infections and HPV-induced malignancies. I delivered a pre-clinical research program leading to 3 clinical trials. In 2019, I re-joined UQ as Research Fellow, where I continued my research interest in human papillomavirus-driven immune suppression in antigen-presenting cells, with the aim to develop new experimental therapies that can modulate the performance of these cells.

Since 2023, I lead my own lab at the UQ Frazer Institute and focussed on deciphering in situ and systemic immune regulations of professional antigen-presenting cells, with a special interest in skin and mucosal squamous epithelium in health and disease.

Availability

Dr Janin Chandra is:
Available for supervision

Qualifications

  • Doctor of Philosophy of Immunology, Universität Zürich

Search Professor Janin Chandra’s works on UQ eSpace

49 works between 2009 and 2026
All (49) Journal Article (40) Other Outputs (5) Conference Publication (3) Book Chapter (1)

21 - 40 of 49 works

2022

Other Outputs

E.PAGE: A curated database and enrichment tool to predict gene modules associated with gene-environment interactions

Muralidharan, Sachin, Ali, Sarah, Yang, Lilin, Badshah, Joshua, Zahir, Farah, Ali, Rubbiya, Chandra, Janin, Thomas, Ranjeny and Mehdi, Ahmed M. (2022). E.PAGE: A curated database and enrichment tool to predict gene modules associated with gene-environment interactions. doi: 10.1101/2022.01.03.474848

E.PAGE: A curated database and enrichment tool to predict gene modules associated with gene-environment interactions

2021

Journal Article

Acquisition of murine splenic myeloid cells for protein and gene expression profiling by advanced flow cytometry and CITE-seq

Rødahl, Inga, Gotley, James, Andersen, Stacey B., Yu, Meihua, Mehdi, Ahmed M., Christ, Angelika N., Hamilton-Williams, Emma E., Frazer, Ian H., Lukowski, Samuel W. and Chandra, Janin (2021). Acquisition of murine splenic myeloid cells for protein and gene expression profiling by advanced flow cytometry and CITE-seq. STAR Protocols, 2 (4) 100842, 1-27. doi: 10.1016/j.xpro.2021.100842

Acquisition of murine splenic myeloid cells for protein and gene expression profiling by advanced flow cytometry and CITE-seq

2021

Journal Article

A model of impaired Langerhans cell maturation associated with HPV induced epithelial hyperplasia

Tuong, Zewen K., Lukowski, Samuel W., Nguyen, Quan H., Chandra, Janin, Zhou, Chenhao, Gillinder, Kevin, Bashaw, Abate A., Ferdinand, John R., Stewart, Benjamin J., Teoh, Siok Min, Hanson, Sarah J., Devitt, Katharina, Clatworthy, Menna R., Powell, Joseph E. and Frazer, Ian H. (2021). A model of impaired Langerhans cell maturation associated with HPV induced epithelial hyperplasia. iScience, 24 (11) 103326, 103326. doi: 10.1016/j.isci.2021.103326

A model of impaired Langerhans cell maturation associated with HPV induced epithelial hyperplasia

2021

Journal Article

Absence of Batf3 reveals a new dimension of cell state heterogeneity within conventional dendritic cells

Lukowski, Samuel W., Rodahl, Inga, Kelly, Samuel, Yu, Meihua, Gotley, James, Zhou, Chenhao, Millard, Susan, Andersen, Stacey B., Christ, Angelika N., Belz, Gabrielle, Frazer, Ian H. and Chandra, Janin (2021). Absence of Batf3 reveals a new dimension of cell state heterogeneity within conventional dendritic cells. iScience, 24 (5) 102402, 1-21. doi: 10.1016/j.isci.2021.102402

Absence of Batf3 reveals a new dimension of cell state heterogeneity within conventional dendritic cells

2021

Journal Article

Immune-inhibitory gene expression is positively correlated with overall immune activity and predicts increased survival probability of cervical and head and neck cancer patients

Budhwani, Megha, Turrell, Gavin, Yu, Meihua, Frazer, Ian H., Mehdi, Ahmed M. and Chandra, Janin (2021). Immune-inhibitory gene expression is positively correlated with overall immune activity and predicts increased survival probability of cervical and head and neck cancer patients. Frontiers in Molecular Biosciences, 8 622643, 622643. doi: 10.3389/fmolb.2021.622643

Immune-inhibitory gene expression is positively correlated with overall immune activity and predicts increased survival probability of cervical and head and neck cancer patients

2021

Journal Article

Antigen nonspecific induction of distinct regulatory T cell states in oncogene-driven hyperproliferative skin

Zhou, Chenhao, Tuong, Zewen Kelvin, Lukowski, Samuel Wieslaw, Chandra, Janin and Frazer, Ian H. (2021). Antigen nonspecific induction of distinct regulatory T cell states in oncogene-driven hyperproliferative skin. ImmunoHorizons, 5 (2), 102-116. doi: 10.4049/immunohorizons.2100006

Antigen nonspecific induction of distinct regulatory T cell states in oncogene-driven hyperproliferative skin

2021

Journal Article

Manganese-doped silica-based nanoparticles promote the efficacy of antigen-specific immunotherapy

Chandra, Janin, Teoh, Siok Min, Kuo, Paula, Tolley, Lynn, Bashaw, Abate Assefa, Tuong, Zewen Kelvin, Liu, Yang, Chen, Zibin, Wells, James W., Yu, Chengzhong, Frazer, Ian H. and Yu, Meihua (2021). Manganese-doped silica-based nanoparticles promote the efficacy of antigen-specific immunotherapy. The Journal of Immunology, 206 (5), ji2000355-998. doi: 10.4049/jimmunol.2000355

Manganese-doped silica-based nanoparticles promote the efficacy of antigen-specific immunotherapy

2021

Book Chapter

Therapeutic DNA Vaccine Against HPV16-Associated Cancer

Yu, Meihua and Chandra, Janin (2021). Therapeutic DNA Vaccine Against HPV16-Associated Cancer. DNA Vaccines. (pp. 241-252) New York, NY United States: Humana Press. doi: 10.1007/978-1-0716-0872-2_13

Therapeutic DNA Vaccine Against HPV16-Associated Cancer

2020

Journal Article

Regulatory T-cells but not IL-10 impair cell-mediated immunity in HPV+ hyperplastic epithelium

Bashaw, Abate Assefa, Zhou, Chenhao, Yu, Meihua, Tolley, Lynn, Leggatt, Graham R., Frazer, Ian H. and Chandra, Janin (2020). Regulatory T-cells but not IL-10 impair cell-mediated immunity in HPV+ hyperplastic epithelium. The Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 141 (5), 1264-1273.e3. doi: 10.1016/j.jid.2020.10.011

Regulatory T-cells but not IL-10 impair cell-mediated immunity in HPV+ hyperplastic epithelium

2020

Journal Article

A phase 1, single centre, open label, escalating dose study to assess the safety, tolerability and immunogenicity of a therapeutic human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA vaccine (AMV002) for HPV-associated head and neck cancer (HNC)

Chandra, J., Woo, W. P., Finlayson, N., Liu, H. Y., McGrath, M., Ladwa, R., Brauer, M., Xu, Y., Hanson, S., Panizza, B., Frazer, I. H. and Porceddu, Sandro V. (2020). A phase 1, single centre, open label, escalating dose study to assess the safety, tolerability and immunogenicity of a therapeutic human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA vaccine (AMV002) for HPV-associated head and neck cancer (HNC). Cancer Immunology, Immunotherapy, 70 (3), 743-753. doi: 10.1007/s00262-020-02720-7

A phase 1, single centre, open label, escalating dose study to assess the safety, tolerability and immunogenicity of a therapeutic human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA vaccine (AMV002) for HPV-associated head and neck cancer (HNC)

2020

Journal Article

Dysregulation of stemness pathways in HPV mediated cervical malignant transformation identifies potential oncotherapy targets

Budhwani, Megha, Lukowski, Samuel W., Porceddu, Sandro V., Frazer, Ian H. and Chandra, Janin (2020). Dysregulation of stemness pathways in HPV mediated cervical malignant transformation identifies potential oncotherapy targets. Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology, 10 307, 307. doi: 10.3389/fcimb.2020.00307

Dysregulation of stemness pathways in HPV mediated cervical malignant transformation identifies potential oncotherapy targets

2019

Journal Article

Immune responses to a HSV-2 polynucleotide immunotherapy COR-1 in HSV-2 positive subjects: a randomized double blinded phase I/IIa trial

Chandra, Janin, Woo, Wai-Ping, Dutton, Julie L., Xu, Yan, Li, Bo, Kinrade, Sally, Druce, Julian, Finlayson, Neil, Griffin, Paul, Laing, Kerry J., Koelle, David M. and Frazer, Ian H. (2019). Immune responses to a HSV-2 polynucleotide immunotherapy COR-1 in HSV-2 positive subjects: a randomized double blinded phase I/IIa trial. PLoS One, 14 (12) e0226320, 1-20. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0226320

Immune responses to a HSV-2 polynucleotide immunotherapy COR-1 in HSV-2 positive subjects: a randomized double blinded phase I/IIa trial

2019

Journal Article

HPV16 E7-driven epithelial hyperplasia promotes impaired antigen presentation and regulatory T cell development

Bashaw, Abate Assefa, Teoh, Siok M., Tuong, Zewen K., Leggatt, Graham R., Frazer, Ian H. and Chandra, Janin (2019). HPV16 E7-driven epithelial hyperplasia promotes impaired antigen presentation and regulatory T cell development. Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 139 (12), 2467-2476.e3. doi: 10.1016/j.jid.2019.03.1162

HPV16 E7-driven epithelial hyperplasia promotes impaired antigen presentation and regulatory T cell development

2019

Journal Article

Immunotherapy for HPV associated cancer

Frazer, Ian H. and Chandra, Janin (2019). Immunotherapy for HPV associated cancer. Papillomavirus Research, 8 100176, 100176. doi: 10.1016/j.pvr.2019.100176

Immunotherapy for HPV associated cancer

2017

Journal Article

CD8+ lineage dendritic cells determine adaptive immune responses to inflammasome activation upon sterile skin injury

Chakraborty, Rituparna, Chandra, Janin, Cui, Shuai, Tolley, Lynn, Cooper, Matthew A., Kendall, Mark and Frazer, Ian H. (2017). CD8+ lineage dendritic cells determine adaptive immune responses to inflammasome activation upon sterile skin injury. Experimental Dermatology, 27 (1), 71-79. doi: 10.1111/exd.13436

CD8+ lineage dendritic cells determine adaptive immune responses to inflammasome activation upon sterile skin injury

2017

Journal Article

Modulation of antigen presenting cell functions during chronic HPV infection

Bashaw, Abate Assefa, Leggatt, Graham R., Chandra, Janin, Tuong, Zewen K. and Frazer, Ian H. (2017). Modulation of antigen presenting cell functions during chronic HPV infection. Papillomavirus Research, 4, 58-65. doi: 10.1016/j.pvr.2017.08.002

Modulation of antigen presenting cell functions during chronic HPV infection

2017

Journal Article

DNA vaccine encoding HPV16 oncogenes E6 and E7 induces potent cell-mediated and humoral immunity which protects in tumor challenge and drives E7-expressing skin graft rejection

Chandra, Janin, Dutton, Julie L., Li, Bo, Woo, Wai-Ping, Xu, Yan, Tolley, Lynn K., Yong, Michelle, Wells, James W., Leggatt, Graham R., Finlayson, Neil and Frazer, Ian H. (2017). DNA vaccine encoding HPV16 oncogenes E6 and E7 induces potent cell-mediated and humoral immunity which protects in tumor challenge and drives E7-expressing skin graft rejection. Journal of Immunotherapy, 40 (2), 62-70. doi: 10.1097/CJI.0000000000000156

DNA vaccine encoding HPV16 oncogenes E6 and E7 induces potent cell-mediated and humoral immunity which protects in tumor challenge and drives E7-expressing skin graft rejection

2016

Journal Article

Batf3 selectively determines acquisition of CD8+ dendritic cell phenotype and function

Chandra, Janin, Kuo, Paula T. Y., Hahn, Anne M., Belz, Gabrielle T. and Frazer, Ian H. (2016). Batf3 selectively determines acquisition of CD8+ dendritic cell phenotype and function. Immunology and Cell Biology, 95 (2), 215-223. doi: 10.1038/icb.2016.83

Batf3 selectively determines acquisition of CD8+ dendritic cell phenotype and function

2016

Journal Article

An escalating dose study to assess the safety, tolerability and immunogenicity of a Herpes Simplex Virus DNA vaccine, COR-1

Dutton, Julie L., Woo, Wai-Ping, Chandra, Janin, Xu, Yan, Li, Bo, Finlayson, Neil, Griffin, Paul and Frazer, Ian H. (2016). An escalating dose study to assess the safety, tolerability and immunogenicity of a Herpes Simplex Virus DNA vaccine, COR-1. Human Vaccines and Immunotherapeutics, 12 (12), 3079-3088. doi: 10.1080/21645515.2016.1221872

An escalating dose study to assess the safety, tolerability and immunogenicity of a Herpes Simplex Virus DNA vaccine, COR-1

2016

Journal Article

Epithelium expressing the E7 oncoprotein of HPV16 attracts immune-modulatory dendritic cells to the skin and suppresses their antigen-processing capacity

Chandra, Janin, Miao, Yan, Romoff, Natasha and Frazer, Ian H. (2016). Epithelium expressing the E7 oncoprotein of HPV16 attracts immune-modulatory dendritic cells to the skin and suppresses their antigen-processing capacity. Plos One, 11 (3) e0152886, e0152886. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0152886

Epithelium expressing the E7 oncoprotein of HPV16 attracts immune-modulatory dendritic cells to the skin and suppresses their antigen-processing capacity

Current funding

  • 2025 - 2027
    A New Frontier in Treating Aggressive Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinomas
    TRI Leading Innovations through New Collaborations Scheme
    Open grant
  • 2023 - 2027
    Targeting cancer associated fibroblasts to overcome immune cell exclusion in head and neck cancer
    Garnett Passe and Rodney Williams Memorial Foundation Mid-Career Fellowship
    Open grant

Past funding

  • 2024 - 2025
    Onco-Derm: a single site prospective analysis of skin microbiome as a predictor of toxicity in patients receiving immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy
    Microba Pty Ltd
    Open grant
  • 2023 - 2025
    The effects of negative pressure on peripheral nerve regeneration (2023 MSH Co-funded grant with Griffith Uni, administered by MSH)
    Metro South Hospital and Health Service
    Open grant
  • 2022 - 2024
    Elucidating early carcinogenic mechanisms dysregulating Langerhans cell differentiation during experimental oral squamous cell carcinoma (ZCAI Grant led by The Hebrew University of Jerusalem)
    The Hebrew University of Jerusalem
    Open grant
  • 2021 - 2023
    Assessment of predictors of response to checkpoint blockade
    PA Research Foundation
    Open grant
  • 2021 - 2023
    Cell therapies for improved treatment of diabetic foot ulcers (externally led by QUT)
    Queensland University of Technology
    Open grant
  • 2012 - 2016
    The role of different dendritic cell subsets in the clearance of papillomavirus infection
    UQ Postdoctoral Research Fellowship
    Open grant

Availability

Dr Janin Chandra is:
Available for supervision

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Available projects

  • Decoding the Role of Non-Immune Skin Cells in Antigen Presentation and T Cell Polarisation Across Preclinical Models of Skin Dysregulation

    This project will leverage advanced mouse models of skin disease, including imiquimod-induced psoriasis-like inflammation and chronic UV irradiation, to dissect the in vivo contribution of immune and non-immune derived MHC-II to CD4+ T cell recruitment and polarisation. Using lineage-specific MHC-II knockout mice (targeting dendritic cells, macrophages/Langerhans cells, keratinocytes, and fibroblasts), the student will systematically compare how professional and unconventional antigen-presenting cells shape immune homeostasis and disease severity. The project will employ high-parameter spectral flow cytometry, single-cell RNA/TCR sequencing, and histopathological analysis to map immune phenotypes and disease outcomes. This work will clarify the cellular mechanisms that drive pathogenic versus regulatory T cell responses in different skin disease contexts, providing foundational knowledge for targeted immunomodulatory therapies.

  • Harnessing Skin-Resident Antigen-Presenting Cells to Optimize Adaptive Immune Responses Following Skin-Applied Vaccination

    This project will investigate how lineage-specific MHC-II expression in skin-resident cells influences the quality of adaptive immune responses after skin-applied vaccination. Using genetically engineered mice with targeted deletion of MHC-II in dendritic cells, keratinocytes, or fibroblasts, the student will immunize animals with antigens and adjuvants to the skin. The project will assess CD4+ and CD8+ T cell priming, T follicular helper cell development, germinal center formation, and antibody responses using flow cytometry, cytokine bead arrays, and ELISA. By distinguishing the roles of professional versus non-professional antigen-presenting cells in vaccine-induced immunity, this research will inform the design of next-generation skin-targeted vaccines and immunotherapies. The student will gain expertise in preclinical vaccination models, immunological assays, and translational research within a collaborative and well-resourced environment.

Supervision history

Current supervision

Completed supervision

Enquiries

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