![Professor Matt Sweet](/sites/default/files/profiles/95.jpeg)
Overview
Background
Matt Sweet is an NHMRC Leadership Fellow, Group Leader, and Director of Higher Degree Research (DHDR) at the Institute for Molecular Bioscience (IMB) at The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia. He was the founding Director of the IMB Centre for Inflammation and Disease Research (2014-2018), also serving as Deputy Head of the IMB Division of Cell Biology and Molecular Medicine during this period. Matt studies innate immunity, the body’s danger sensing system that responds to infection, injury and dysregulated homeostasis, and the role of this system in health and disease. Matt’s research team focuses on manipulating the innate immune system for the development of anti-infective and anti-inflammatory strategies. To do so, his lab characterizes the roles of specific innate immune pattern recognition receptors and their downstream signalling pathways/gene products in inflammatory disease processes, as well as in host responses to bacterial pathogens. He has authored >175 journal articles and book chapters, including in Science (2), Science Translational Medicine, Science Immunology, Nature Immunology, Nature Genetics, Nature Communications (4), PNAS USA (6) and Journal of Experimental Medicine (2), and his career publications have accrued >19,000 citations.
Biography
I was awarded a PhD (The University of Queensland) in 1996 for my research under the supervision of Prof David Hume into gene regulation in macrophages, immune cells with important roles in health and disease. I subsequently undertook a short postdoctoral position in the same laboratory, focusing on the activation of macrophages by pathogen products. I then embarked on a CJ Martin post-doctoral training fellowship with Prof Eddy Liew, FRS at the University of Glasgow in Scotland. Returning to The University of Queensland, I had a prominent role within the Cooperative Research Centre for Chronic Inflammatory Diseases (including as UQ node head from 2007-2008) and was appointed as a Group Leader at the IMB in 2007. I have continued fellowship support since this time, including as an ARC Future Fellow, an NHMRC Senior Research Fellow and an NHMRC Leadership Fellow (current, from 2021).
Key discoveries
CpG-containing DNA as an activator of innate immunity, and characterization of the receptor (TLR9) detecting this microbial component.
The IL-1 receptor family member ST2 as a critical regulator of innate immunity and inflammation.
Inflammatory and antimicrobial functions of histone deacetylase enzymes (HDACs) in macrophages.
Effects of the growth factor CSF-1 on inflammatory responses in macrophages.
Mechanisms responsible for divergence in TLR responses between human and mouse macrophages, as well as the functional consequences of such divergence.
TLR-inducible zinc toxicity as an antimicrobial weapon of macrophages and the identification of defects in this pathway in cystic fibrosis.
Host evasion strategies used by the bacterial pathogens Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium and uropathogenic E. coli.
SCIMP as a novel TLR adaptor that mediates TLR tyrosine phosphorylation and selective cytokine outputs.
Genes and pathways associated with the severity of chronic liver disease.
Molecular mechanisms controlling macrophage immunometabolism, as well as associated inflammatory and antimicrobial responses.
Anti-inflammatory and antibacterial activities of the metabolite ribulose-5-phosphate.
Research training
I have supervised or co-supervised 29 completed PhD students and 22 completed honours students, as well as 9 post-doctoral researchers. Many of my former staff and students continue to have active research careers around the world (USA, UK, Europe, Australia), including as independent laboratory heads. I currently supervise 5 PhD students in my laboratory, co-supervise 4 PhD students in other laboratories, and oversee the research activities of 2 post-doctoral researchers in my group. Current and former staff/students have received numerous fellowships and awards during their research careers (e.g. ARC DECRA, NHMRC CJ Martin fellowship, UQ post-doctoral fellowship, Smart State scholarship). I have also examined >25 PhD theses in the fields of innate immunity, inflammation and host defence.
Professional activities
I am an editorial board member of the Journal of Leukocyte Biology and Seminars in Cell & Developmental Biology, and have served as an editorial board member for several other journals in the past e.g. Immunology and Cell Biology. I have served on NHMRC project grant review panels in 2007, 2008, 2009, 2012 (as panel chair) and 2014, NHMRC Ideas panels in 2020 and 2024, NHMRC Investigator panels in 2021 and 2022, as well as a member of the NHMRC RGMS user reference group committee from 2010-2012. I acted as national representative for the Australasian Society of Immunology (ASI) Infection and Immunity special interest group from 2012-2017. At UQ, I served as chair of an animal ethics committee from 2013-2014, and co-organized the UQ Host-Pathogen interaction network from 2007-2010 (prior to the establishment of the Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre). I am currently Director of Higher Degree by Research at IMB, overseeing HDR student recruitment and training.
I have made extensive contributions to conference organization in my discipline. I co-organized the national TLROZ2009 and TLROZ2012 conferences, I organized the first ever Australasian Society for Immunology (ASI) Infection and Immunity workshop (2009), was chair of the ASI Program Committee and co-organizer of the Infection and Immunity workshop for ASI2017, and I co-organized the annual IMB Inflammation Symposium (2014-2018). I also co-chaired the 2019 World Conference of Inflammation (Sydney, September 2019). In addition, I have been a member of the organizing committee for ASI2009, the 2014 International Cytokine and Interferon Society conference, the Lorne Infection and Immunity conference (2014-2020), and the Brisbane Immunology Group annual meeting (2008 to the present).
Availability
- Professor Matt Sweet is:
- Available for supervision
- Media expert
Fields of research
Qualifications
- Bachelor (Honours) of Science (Advanced), The University of Queensland
- Doctor of Philosophy, The University of Queensland
Research interests
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INNATE IMMUNE INFLAMMATORY PATHWAYS
Cells of the innate immune system such as macrophages play essential roles in detecting and responding to danger, which can be sensed as a result of infection, injury and/or dysregulated homeostasis. These cells use several families of pattern recognition receptors (PRRs), such as the toll-like receptors (TLRs) and nod-like receptors (NLRs), to recognize specific danger signals. Inappropriate or prolonged PRR activation drives dysregulated inflammation, which is central to the pathology of many acute and chronic diseases. Current research is focused on developing approaches to target PRR signaling pathways and other innate immune pathways for potential applications in inflammatory diseases such as chronic liver disease, sepsis and inflammatory bowel diseases. Areas of specific interest including (1) characterizing mechanisms by which novel TLR complex components provide specificity to inflammatory responses; (2) control of inflammatory outputs by immune cell metabolism and (3) the roles of individual histone deacetylase enzymes, particularly HDAC7, in macrophage inflammatory pathways and inflammatory disease processes.
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INNATE IMMUNE ANTIMICROBIAL PATHWAYS
Innate immunity plays a pivotal role in protecting against invading microorganisms. Successful pathogens must overcome this system to colonize the host and cause disease. Many important pathogens actively target macrophages, residing in these cells or destroying them to avoid immune defence. We study TLR-inducible macrophage antimicrobial responses, and how the Gram-negative bacterial pathogens Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium (S. Typhimurium) and uropathogenic E. coli (UPEC) are able to overcome such responses. Our focus is on developing novel anti-infective strategies, through the manipulation of innate immune antimicrobial responses. Areas of specific interest include (1) characterizing TLR-inducible antimicrobial responses (zinc poisoning, mitochondrial fission) in macrophages, as well as host subversion strategies; (2) defining mechanisms by which specific HDAC enzymes (HDAC6, HDAC7) regulate macrophage host defence pathways; and (3) unravelling the contributions of UPEC-triggered macrophage cell death to immune defence versus host subversion.
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SPECIES DIFFERENCES IN INNATE IMMUNITY
Whilst conservation of a gene or pathway across species is an obvious indicator of its importance, the fact that a gene or a pathway is not conserved does not mean that it isn’t important for one particular species. In fact, in the context of co-evolution of host and pathogen, species-specific responses are likely to be critical for host defence. We have characterized differences in TLR responses between human and mouse, and the mechanisms responsible. Our current focus is on characterizing the roles of individual TLR target genes that are differentially regulated between human and mouse in host defence against bacterial pathogens and in inflammatory responses.
Research impacts
Every organism and every cell employs some form of innate defence for protection against agents with the ability to cause harm. In complex multicellular organisms, these innate defence systems also have the capacity to cause damage to the organism itself. As such, innate immunity lies at the heart of almost all disease processes. Our fundamental research in this field has the potential to lead to new anti-infective and/or anti-inflammatory agents that may have applications in the health, livestock and/or veterinary sectors.
Specific indicators of impact
· More than 175 career publications, which have collectively accrued >19,000 citations (average cites/article: ~110; most cited article: >1,000 citations. My publications include 40 invited review articles, editorials and book chapters, and of these, 9 reviews have received more than 200 citations, another 3 have received more than 100 citations, and 1 received the Dolph Adams award from the Journal of Leukocyte Biology. I have also been invited to guest edit review series for Seminars in Cell and Developmental Biology, Immunology and Cell Biology and Journal of Leukocyte Biology.
· Contribution to the development and/or validation of several novel small molecule inhibitors of inflammation-relevant proteins, and numerous interactions with the Pharmaceutical/Biotechnology industry.
· Identification of a gene signature associated with severity of chronic liver disease, with these findings currently being pursued for discovery of biomarkers and therapeutic targets.
· ~125 invitations to speak nationally and internationally at conferences, institute/departmental seminars, and other forums. I have also chaired >40 sessions at national and international conferences.
Works
Search Professor Matt Sweet’s works on UQ eSpace
Featured
2024
Journal Article
CFTR is required for zinc-mediated antibacterial defense in human macrophages
Das Gupta, Kaustav, Curson, James E. B., Tarique, Abdullah A., Kapetanovic, Ronan, Schembri, Mark A., Fantino, Emmanuelle, Sly, Peter D. and Sweet, Matthew J. (2024). CFTR is required for zinc-mediated antibacterial defense in human macrophages. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 121 (8) e2315190121, 1-11. doi: 10.1073/pnas.2315190121
2023
Journal Article
HDAC7 is an immunometabolic switch triaging danger signals for engagement of antimicrobial versus inflammatory responses in macrophages
Das Gupta, Kaustav, Ramnath, Divya, von Pein, Jessica B., Curson, James E. B., Wang, Yizhuo, Abrol, Rishika, Kakkanat, Asha, Moradi, Shayli Varasteh, Gunther, Kimberley S., Murthy, Ambika M. V., Stocks, Claudia J., Kapetanovic, Ronan, Reid, Robert C., Iyer, Abishek, Ilka, Zoe C., Nauseef, William M., Plan, Manuel, Luo, Lin, Stow, Jennifer L., Schroder, Kate, Karunakaran, Denuja, Alexandrov, Kirill, Shakespear, Melanie R., Schembri, Mark A., Fairlie, David P. and Sweet, Matthew J. (2023). HDAC7 is an immunometabolic switch triaging danger signals for engagement of antimicrobial versus inflammatory responses in macrophages. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 120 (4) e2212813120, 1-12. doi: 10.1073/pnas.2212813120
Featured
2020
Journal Article
Mammalian lipid droplets are innate immune hubs integrating cell metabolism and host defense
Bosch, Marta, Sánchez-Álvarez, Miguel, Fajardo, Alba, Kapetanovic, Ronan, Steiner, Bernhard, Dutra, Filipe, Moreira, Luciana, López, Juan Antonio, Campo, Rocío, Marí, Montserrat, Morales-Paytuví, Frederic, Tort, Olivia, Gubern, Albert, Templin, Rachel M., Curson, James E. B., Martel, Nick, Català, Cristina, Lozano, Francisco, Tebar, Francesc, Enrich, Carlos, Vázquez, Jesús, Del Pozo, Miguel A., Sweet, Matthew J., Bozza, Patricia T., Gross, Steven P., Parton, Robert G. and Pol, Albert (2020). Mammalian lipid droplets are innate immune hubs integrating cell metabolism and host defense. Science, 370 (6514) 8085, 309-+. doi: 10.1126/science.aay8085
Featured
2020
Journal Article
Frontline Science: LPS‐inducible SLC30A1 drives human macrophage‐mediated zinc toxicity against intracellular Escherichia coli
Stocks, Claudia J., Pein, Jessica B., Curson, James E.B., Rae, James, Phan, Minh‐Duy, Foo, Darren, Bokil, Nilesh J., Kambe, Taiho, Peters, Kate M., Parton, Robert G., Schembri, Mark A., Kapetanovic, Ronan and Sweet, Matthew J. (2020). Frontline Science: LPS‐inducible SLC30A1 drives human macrophage‐mediated zinc toxicity against intracellular Escherichia coli. Journal of Leukocyte Biology, 109 (2) JLB.2HI0420-160R, 287-297. doi: 10.1002/jlb.2hi0420-160r
Featured
2020
Journal Article
Class IIa histone deacetylases drive toll-like receptor-inducible glycolysis and macrophage inflammatory responses via pyruvate kinase M2
Das Gupta, Kaustav, Shakespear, Melanie R., Curson, James E.B., Murthy, Ambika M.V., Iyer, Abishek, Hodson, Mark P., Ramnath, Divya, Tillu, Vikas A., von Pein, Jessica B., Reid, Robert C., Tunny, Kathryn, Hohenhaus, Daniel M., Moradi, Shayli Varasteh, Kelly, Gregory M., Kobayashi, Takumi, Gunter, Jennifer H., Stevenson, Alexander J., Xu, Weijun, Luo, Lin, Jones, Alun, Johnston, Wayne A., Blumenthal, Antje, Alexandrov, Kirill, Collins, Brett M., Stow, Jennifer L., Fairlie, David P. and Sweet, Matthew J. (2020). Class IIa histone deacetylases drive toll-like receptor-inducible glycolysis and macrophage inflammatory responses via pyruvate kinase M2. Cell Reports, 30 (8), 2712-2728.e8. doi: 10.1016/j.celrep.2020.02.007
Featured
2019
Journal Article
Hyaluronan synthase 2–mediated hyaluronan production mediates Notch1 activation and liver fibrosis
Yang, Yoon Mee, Noureddin, Mazen, Liu, Cheng, Ohashi, Koichiro, Kim, So Yeon, Ramnath, Divya, Powell, Elizabeth E., Sweet, Matthew J., Roh, Yoon Seok, Hsin, I-Fang, Deng, Nan, Liu, Zhenqiu, Liang, Jiurong, Mena, Edward, Shouhed, Daniel, Schwabe, Robert F., Jiang, Dianhua, Lu, Shelly C., Noble, Paul W. and Seki, Ekihiro (2019). Hyaluronan synthase 2–mediated hyaluronan production mediates Notch1 activation and liver fibrosis. Science Translational Medicine, 11 (496) eaat9284, eaat9284. doi: 10.1126/scitranslmed.aat9284
Featured
2019
Journal Article
Uropathogenic Escherichia coli employs both evasion and resistance to subvert innate immune-mediated zinc toxicity for dissemination
Stocks, Claudia J., Phan, Minh-Duy, Achard, Maud E. S., Nhu, Nguyen Thi Khanh, Condon, Nicholas D., Gawthorne, Jayde A., Lo, Alvin W., Peters, Kate M., McEwan, Alastair G., Kapetanovic, Ronan, Schembri, Mark A. and Sweet, Matthew J. (2019). Uropathogenic Escherichia coli employs both evasion and resistance to subvert innate immune-mediated zinc toxicity for dissemination. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 116 (13), 6341-6350. doi: 10.1073/pnas.1820870116
Featured
2018
Journal Article
Hepatic expression profiling identifies steatosis-independent and steatosis-driven advanced fibrosis genes
Ramnath, Divya, Irvine, Katharine M., Lukowski, Samuel W., Horsfall, Leigh U., Loh, Zhixuan, Clouston, Andrew D., Patel, Preya J., Fagan, Kevin J., Iyer, Abishek, Lampe, Guy, Stow, Jennifer L., Schroder, Kate, Fairlie, David P., Powell, Joseph E., Powell, Elizabeth E. and Sweet, Matthew J. (2018). Hepatic expression profiling identifies steatosis-independent and steatosis-driven advanced fibrosis genes. JCI Insight, 3 (14) ARTN e120274. doi: 10.1172/jci.insight.120274
Featured
2018
Journal Article
Lysine deacetylases and regulated glycolysis in macrophages
Shakespear, Melanie R., Iyer, Abishek, Cheng, Catherine Youting, Das Gupta, Kaustav, Singhal, Amit, Fairlie, David P. and Sweet, Matthew J. (2018). Lysine deacetylases and regulated glycolysis in macrophages. Trends in Immunology, 39 (6), 473-488. doi: 10.1016/j.it.2018.02.009
2017
Journal Article
SCIMP is a transmembrane non-TIR TLR adaptor that promotes proinflammatory cytokine production from macrophages
Luo, Lin, Bokil, Nilesh J., Wall, Adam A., Kapetanovic, Ronan, Lansdaal, Natalie M., Marceline, Faustine, Burgess, Belinda J., Tong, Samuel J., Guo, Zhong, Alexandrov, Kirill, Ross, Ian L., Hibbs, Margaret L., Stow, Jennifer L. and Sweet, Matthew J. (2017). SCIMP is a transmembrane non-TIR TLR adaptor that promotes proinflammatory cytokine production from macrophages. Nature Communications, 8 (1) 14133, 14133. doi: 10.1038/ncomms14133
Featured
2016
Journal Article
Salmonella employs multiple mechanisms to subvert the TLR-inducible zinc-mediated antimicrobial response of human macrophages
Kapetanovic, Ronan, Bokil, Nilesh J., Achard, Maud E. S., Ong, Cheryl-lynn Y, Peters, Kate M., Stocks, Claudia J., Phan, Minh-Duy, Monteleone, Mercedes, Schroder, Kate, Irvine, Katharine M., Saunders, Bernadette M., Walker, Mark J., Stacey, Katryn J., McEwan, Alastair G., Schembri, Mark A. and Sweet, Matthew J. (2016). Salmonella employs multiple mechanisms to subvert the TLR-inducible zinc-mediated antimicrobial response of human macrophages. The FASEB Journal, 30 (5), 1901-1912. doi: 10.1096/fj.201500061
Featured
2016
Journal Article
Strain- and host species-specific inflammasome activation, IL-1β release, and cell death in macrophages infected with uropathogenic Escherichia coli.
Schaale, K., Peters, K. M., Murthy, A. M., Fritzsche, A. K., Phan, M.-D., Totsika, M., Robertson, A. A. B., Nichols, K. B., Cooper, M. A., Stacey, K. J., Ulett, G. C., Schroder, K., Schembri, M. A. and Sweet, M. J. (2016). Strain- and host species-specific inflammasome activation, IL-1β release, and cell death in macrophages infected with uropathogenic Escherichia coli.. Mucosal Immunology, 9 (1), 124-136. doi: 10.1038/mi.2015.44
Featured
2014
Journal Article
Rab8a interacts directly with PI3Kγ to modulate TLR4-driven PI3K and mTOR signalling
Luo, Lin, Wall, Adam A., Yeo, Jeremy C., Condon, Nicholas D., Norwood, Suzanne J., Schoenwaelder, Simone, Chen, Kaiwen W., Jackson, Shaun, Jenkins, Brendan J., Hartland, Elizabeth L., Schroder, Kate, Collins, Brett M., Sweet, Matthew J. and Stow, Jennifer L. (2014). Rab8a interacts directly with PI3Kγ to modulate TLR4-driven PI3K and mTOR signalling. Nature Communications, 5 (1) 4407, 4407.1-4407.13. doi: 10.1038/ncomms5407
Featured
2013
Journal Article
Histone deacetylase 7 promotes Toll-like Receptor 4-dependent pro-inflammatory gene expression in macrophages
Shakespear, Melanie R., Hohenhaus, Daniel M., Kelly, Greg M., Kamal, Nabilah A., Gupta, Praveer, Labzin, Larisa I., Schroder, Kate, Garceau, Valerie, Barbero, Sheila, Iyer, Abishek, Hume, David A., Reid, Robert C., Irvine, Katharine M., Fairlie, David P. and Sweet, Matthew J. (2013). Histone deacetylase 7 promotes Toll-like Receptor 4-dependent pro-inflammatory gene expression in macrophages. Journal of Biological Chemistry, 288 (35), 25362-25374. doi: 10.1074/jbc.M113.496281
Featured
2012
Journal Article
Conservation and divergence in Toll-like receptor 4-regulated gene expression in primary human versus mouse macrophages
Schroder, Kate, Irvine, Katharine M., Taylor, Martin S., Bokil, Nilesh J., Le Cao, Kim-Anh, Masterman, Kelly-Anne, Labzin, Larisa I., Semple, Colin A., Kapetanovic, Ronan, Fairbairn, Lynsey, Akalin, Altuna, Faulkner, Geoffrey J., Baillie, John Kenneth, Gongora, Milena, Daub, Carsten O., Kawaji, Hideya, McLachlan, Geoffrey J., Goldman, Nick, Grimmond, Sean M., Carninci, Piero, Suzuki, Harukazu, Hayashizaki, Yoshihide, Lenhard, Boris, Hume, David A. and Sweet, Matthew J. (2012). Conservation and divergence in Toll-like receptor 4-regulated gene expression in primary human versus mouse macrophages. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the USA, 109 (16), E944-E953. doi: 10.1073/pnas.1110156109
Featured
2009
Journal Article
HIN-200 proteins regulate caspase activation in response to foreign cytoplasmic DNA
Roberts, Tara L., Idris, Adi, Dunn, Jasmyn A., Kelly, Greg M., Burnton, Carol M., Hodgson, Samantha, Hardy, Lani. L., Garceau, Valerie, Sweet, Matthew J., Ross, Ian L., Hume, David A. and Stacey, Katryn J. (2009). HIN-200 proteins regulate caspase activation in response to foreign cytoplasmic DNA. Science, 323 (5917), 1057-1060. doi: 10.1126/science.1169841
Featured
2002
Journal Article
Colony-stimulating factor-1 suppresses responses to CpG DNA and expression of toll-like receptor 9 but enhances responses to lipopolysaccharide in murine macrophages
Sweet, Matthew J., Campbell, Carol C., Sester, David P., Xu, Damo, McDonald, Rebecca C., Stacey, Katryn J., Hume, David A. and Liew, Foo Y. (2002). Colony-stimulating factor-1 suppresses responses to CpG DNA and expression of toll-like receptor 9 but enhances responses to lipopolysaccharide in murine macrophages. Journal of Immunology, 168 (1), 392-399. doi: 10.4049/jimmunol.168.1.392
Featured
2001
Journal Article
A novel pathway regulating lipopolysaccharide-induced shock by ST2/T1 via inhibition of toll-like receptor 4 expression
Sweet, M. J., Leung, B. P., Kang, D. W., Sogaard, M., Schulz, K., Trajkovic, V., Campbell, C. C., Xu, D. M. and Liew, F. Y. (2001). A novel pathway regulating lipopolysaccharide-induced shock by ST2/T1 via inhibition of toll-like receptor 4 expression. Journal of Immunology, 166 (11), 6633-6639. doi: 10.4049/jimmunol.166.11.6633
Featured
1996
Journal Article
Macrophages ingest and are activated by bacterial DNA
Stacey, K. J., Sweet, M. J. and Hume, D. A. (1996). Macrophages ingest and are activated by bacterial DNA. Journal of Immunology, 157 (5), 2116-2122.
2024
Journal Article
The activity of early-life gene regulatory elements is hijacked in aging through pervasive AP-1-linked chromatin opening
Patrick, Ralph, Naval-Sanchez, Marina, Deshpande, Nikita, Huang, Yifei, Zhang, Jingyu, Chen, Xiaoli, Yang, Ying, Tiwari, Kanupriya, Esmaeili, Mohammadhossein, Tran, Minh, Mohamed, Amin R., Wang, Binxu, Xia, Di, Ma, Jun, Bayliss, Jacqueline, Wong, Kahlia, Hun, Michael L., Sun, Xuan, Cao, Benjamin, Cottle, Denny L., Catterall, Tara, Barzilai-Tutsch, Hila, Troskie, Robin-Lee, Chen, Zhian, Wise, Andrea F., Saini, Sheetal, Soe, Ye Mon, Kumari, Snehlata, Sweet, Matthew J. ... Nefzger, Christian M. (2024). The activity of early-life gene regulatory elements is hijacked in aging through pervasive AP-1-linked chromatin opening. Cell Metabolism, 36 (8), 1858-1881.e23. doi: 10.1016/j.cmet.2024.06.006
Funding
Current funding
Past funding
Supervision
Availability
- Professor Matt Sweet is:
- Available for supervision
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Available projects
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TARGETING MAMMALIAN HDACs AS AN ANTI-INFECTIVE STRATEGY
We have found that specific HDAC enzymes constrain macrophage antimicrobial responses, particularly TLR-inducible mitochondrial fission. This project will explore the specific molecular mechanisms by which HDACs constrain macrophage antimicrobial pathways and will investigate novel anti-infective approaches that target HDAC enzymes.
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TARGETING TLR SIGNALLING PATHWAYS AS AN ANTI-INFLAMMATORY STRATEGY
Projects are available to investigate different aspects of TLR-inducible inflammatory pathways in macrophages, for example the role of a novel TLR adaptor in macrophage inflammatory responses and HDAC-mediated control of metabolic pathways in macrophage-mediated inflammation.
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CHARACTERIZING ZINC POISONING AS AN ANTIMICROBIAL WEAPON
Innate immune cells deliver toxic levels of zinc to invading microorganisms as an antimicrobial strategy, with zinc-sensitive mutants of a number of pathogens compromised for defence against innate immune cells. This project will focus on the cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in initiation of this host defence pathway.
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ORGANELLE-MEDIATED CONTROL OF INNATE IMMUNITY
In addition to controlling energy production, mitochondria are key regulators of macrophage inflammatory and antimicrobial responses. Lipid droplets, which interact with and regulate mitochondria, have also been linked to specific innate immune functions. This project will explore the control of macrophage inflammatory and antimicrobial responses by mitochondria and lipid droplets.
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CIRCADIAN CONTROL OF INNATE IMMUNITY
The circadian clock is a conserved gene regulatory network that synchronizes physiological processes with daily fluctuations in sleep/wake cycles. The circadian clock is also an important regulator of immune responses to infection, and this project would explore the mechanisms by which circadian rhythm influences innate immune inflammatory and antimicrobial responses.
Supervision history
Current supervision
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Doctor Philosophy
Control of innate immunity by mitochondria and lipid droplets
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Robert Parton
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Doctor Philosophy
Boosting innate immune defence to combat antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Mark Schembri, Dr Divya Ramnath
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Doctor Philosophy
Combating bacterial infections through reprogramming of innate immunity
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor David Fairlie, Dr Divya Ramnath
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Doctor Philosophy
The role of mitochondria and lipid droplets in innate immunity and host defence
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Steven Zuryn
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Doctor Philosophy
Characterisation of molecular mechanisms by which histone deacetylase 7 controls macrophage functions
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Divya Ramnath
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Doctor Philosophy
Leveraging integrative multiomic data to enable controlled cell state transition
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Christian Nefzger
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Doctor Philosophy
Investigating molecular mechanisms of RP105-dependent macrophage activation during mycobacterial infection
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Tom Schultz, Professor Antje Blumenthal
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Doctor Philosophy
Host-Microbe Interactions and the circadian clock in Liver Disease
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Frederic Gachon, Dr Meltem Weger, Dr Benjamin Weger
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Doctor Philosophy
Diversity, regulation and function of the uropathogenic Escherichia coli capsule
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Duy Phan, Professor Mark Schembri
Completed supervision
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2024
Doctor Philosophy
Histone deacetylase 7 functions in infection, inflammation, and metabolic disease
Principal Advisor
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2023
Doctor Philosophy
Characterisation of the macrophage zinc toxicity response as an antimicrobial weapon
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Mark Schembri
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2022
Doctor Philosophy
The role of mitochondrial dynamics in macrophage functions
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Divya Ramnath
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2021
Doctor Philosophy
SCIMP: a novel TLR4 adaptor protein that fine-tunes inflammatory signalling in myeloid cells
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Jennifer Stow
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2019
Doctor Philosophy
Investigation of innate immune antimicrobial zinc toxicity
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Mark Schembri
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2019
Doctor Philosophy
Characterization of interactions between uropathogenic Escherichia coli and the innate immune system
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Mark Schembri
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2018
Doctor Philosophy
HDAC7 as a regulator of macrophage inflammatory and antimicrobial responses
Principal Advisor
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2015
Doctor Philosophy
Characterisation of Human Macrophage Functions in Innate Immunity
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Kate Schroder, Professor David Fairlie
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2014
Doctor Philosophy
Role of IRF6 in epithelial cell-mediated host defence and inflammation
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Rick Sturm
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2013
Doctor Philosophy
Regulation of TLR4 signalling in macrophages by histone deacetylases
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Katharine Irvine
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2013
Doctor Philosophy
Identification and characterization of anti-microbial pathways in human macrophages
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Mark Schembri, Professor Kate Stacey
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2010
Doctor Philosophy
Antigen presenting cell involvement in Th2 response
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Adjunct Professor Andrew Kotze
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2008
Doctor Philosophy
The function and regulation of TLR9
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Kate Stacey
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2024
Doctor Philosophy
Mitochondrial Dynamics and the NLRP3 Inflammasome
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Kate Schroder
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2024
Doctor Philosophy
Characterisation of a Pathogen-Exploited and Host-Defense G Protein-Coupled Receptor During Viral Infections
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Kirsty Short, Honorary Professor Katharina Ronacher
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2023
Doctor Philosophy
Innate immune mechanisms that shape inflammatory and antimicrobial responses during mycobacterial infection
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Antje Blumenthal
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2023
Doctor Philosophy
Exploring new Salmonella vaccines
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Ian Henderson
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2018
Doctor Philosophy
Characterisation of the molecular mechanisms of RP105-dependent macrophage activation
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Antje Blumenthal
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2018
Doctor Philosophy
The Group A Streptococcus M1T1 clone post-transcriptionally modifies innate immune signalling to promote infection
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Mark Walker
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2018
Doctor Philosophy
Investigation of metal stress response and regulation in Group A Streptococcus
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Mark Walker
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2015
Doctor Philosophy
Inflammasome function in neutrophils
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Kate Schroder
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2014
Doctor Philosophy
Structural and functional studies of TcpB, a protein involved in Brucella pathogenesis
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Bostjan Kobe, Professor Mark Schembri
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2012
Doctor Philosophy
The role of copper in the innate immune response to Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium
Associate Advisor
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2010
Doctor Philosophy
Regulation of inflammatory proteins
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor David Fairlie
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2009
Doctor Philosophy
Regulation and Function of Schlafen in Macrophage Biology
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor David Hume
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2005
Doctor Philosophy
CELLULAR RESPONSES TO IMMUNOSTIMULATORY DNA
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor David Hume, Professor Kate Stacey
Media
Enquiries
Contact Professor Matt Sweet directly for media enquiries about:
- anti-infectives
- anti-inflammatories
- chronic liver disease
- histone deacetylases
- immune system
- infectious diseases
- inflammasomes
- inflammation
- Inflammatory diseases
- macrophages
- Salmonellosis
- sepsis
- toll-like receptors
- urinary tract infections
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