Professor Kate Schroder, UQ : "Inflammasomes: from fundamental biology to new therapeutics"
Speaker:
Professor Kate Schroder
Institute for Molecular Bioscience
The University of Queensland
Title: Inflammasomes: from fundamental biology to new therapeutics
Abstract:
Inflammation drives many devastating human diseases for which patients have no disease-modifying drugs. Indeed, inflammation contributes to the susceptibility or severity of all top 10 causes of human deaths; accounting for 55% of global deaths. The inflammasome pathway is a key driver of pathological inflammation in this context, contributing to several common human diseases (e.g. metabolic disease, neurodegenerative diseases, cancers).
Inflammasomes are signalling hubs that provide an activation platform for the zymogen protease, caspase-1. Upon activation, caspase-1 triggers the maturation and secretion of potent pro-inflammatory mediators (interleukins (IL)-1β and -18) and induces cell lysis, culminating in immune system activation. Here, we reveal the mechanisms by which inflammasomes signal, and how a small molecule inflammasome inhibitor can silence pathological inflammasome signalling for therapeutic management of several human diseases.
About Neuroscience Seminars
Neuroscience seminars at the QBI play a major role in the advancement of neuroscience in the Asia-Pacific region. The primary goal of these seminars is to promote excellence in neuroscience through the exchange of ideas, establishing new collaborations and augmenting partnerships already in place.
Seminars in the QBI Auditorium on Level 7 are held on Wednesdays at 12-1pm, which are sometimes simulcast on Zoom (with approval from the speaker). We also occassionally hold seminars from international speakers via Zoom. The days and times of these seminars will vary depending on the time zone of the speaker. Please see each seminar listed below for details.
