Kemp Lab Research
Research Overview
My research focuses on T cells as mediators of anti-tumour and infectious immunity. Specifically, the role of inflammation, apoptosis and the unique features of different subsets of T cells to improve diagnosis, prognosis and treatment of disease, focussing on cancer and gut-specific immune responses.
We are currently looking at T cell subsets in colorectal cancer and inflammatory bowel disease to improve diagnosis, prognosis and treatment. We are generating site-specific T cell memory using novel slow release vaccines and analysing the molecular signalling pathways required to maintain these populations.
Research Projects
My current areas of research are mucosal and tumour immune responses and T cell memory.
Mucosal Immune Responses in Cancer and Inflammatory Diseases
- Using immune responses in the lymph nodes and tumour to predict patient outcome in colorectal cancer
- Investigating T cell responses in inflammatory bowel disease, Type 1 diabetes and spondylosing arthritis patients
- T cell subsets in the gut mucosa and their influence on anti-tumour immune responses
- Macrophage responses in colorectal cancer and inflammatory diseases, and in response to Vitamin D
- Generating gut-specific memory T cells through vaccination
- Characterising novel genes to predict cancer patient outcome
CD8+ T Cell Memory
- Interactions between naïve and memory T cell populations
- Molecular signals controlling memory T cell development and maintenance
- Vaccination strategies to generate effective T cell memory populations
Lab Members and Postgraduate Students
Andrew Highton – B. Biomed. Sci Hons Student 2010; Ph.D. student 2011 -
http://osms.otago.ac.nz/index.php/courses-a-subjects/204-andrew-highton-
http://osms.otago.ac.nz/index.php/see-more-stories-here/197-bbiomedsc-honours-day
*awarded ASI Travel Award 2010
* awarded Sandy Smith Memorial Scholarship 2012
* winner of the Otago Medical Research Society Prize at the Division of Health Sciences Annual Research Forum 2012
http://osms.otago.ac.nz/index.php/see-more-stories-here/335-student-success-at-divisional-research-forum
Ed Taylor - B.Sc Hons Student 2011; Summer Student 2010/11; Ph.D. student 2012 -
* 1st equal 4th Year student presentation 2011
* awarded NZSO Trainee Travel Award 2012
Georgia Bell - Summer Student 2011-12, PGDip.Sci Student 2012, Research Technician 2012 -
Elliott Dunn - M.Sc Student 2012 -
* People's Choice Award - 2013 OSMS Postgrad Symposium
* second place Dept 4th Year Presentations 2012
* awarded second prize at the Otago Medical School Research Society Awards for 4th Year Students 2012
Kristian Thomson - M.Sc Student (with Michelle McConnell) 2012 -
Kirsten Ward-Hartstonge - P.G.Dip.Sci student 2013 -
Sam Norton - B.Biomed.Sci Hons student 2013 -
Other Activities
Department Kaiawhina
Centre for Translational Cancer Research
New Zealand Society of Oncology
ASI Infection and Immunity SIG
Collaborations
T Cell Responses in Colorectal Cancer - Prof Tony Reeve, Cancer Genetics Laboratory, Dr Mik Black, Department of Biochemistry, Prof John McCall, Department of Surgery
Enhancing T Cell Memory with Vaccination - Dr Sarah Hook, School of Pharmacy
Novel Genes in Anti-Tumour Response - Dr Mik Black, Department of Biochemistry
APC-Cancer Cell Interactions - Dr Anita Dunbier, Department of Biochemistry
Gut Immune Responses in Patients with Inflammatory Disease - Dr Michael Schultz, Department of Medicine, Dr Grant Butt, Department of Physiology
Current Sources of Funding
University of Otago
Genesis Oncology Trust
Lotteries Health Research
Jack Thomson Grant (OMRF)