15 October 2012

An international collaboration between the labs of Prof Jamie Rossjohn of Monash University, Prof Frits Koning of the University of Leiden and Dr Bob Andreson of US biotech company ImmusanT Inc has allowed scientists to visualise the interaction between gluten and T-cells of the immune system for the first time.  Dr Hugh Reid from the Rossjohn lab led the project and used the Australian Synchrotron's MX beamlines to identify the atomic details of how the immune system interacts with gluten. This crucial discovery provides insight into how coeliac disease is triggered and is will assist in the development of a blood test for coeliac disease and a therapeutic vaccine. The work was published in the journal, Immunity.

Click here to read the Monash University media release.