Molecular Blueprint of Disease: Structural Insights into Viral Immunity

Title: Molecular Blueprint of Disease: Structural Insights into Viral Immunity

Speaker: Professor Stephanie Gras, La Trobe University

Abstract: Understanding why some individuals experience severe viral infections while others remain asymptomatic is central to our research. My team investigates immune responses to high-impact human viruses—including SARS-CoV-2, HIV, and influenza—using structural biology to uncover the molecular mechanisms of immune recognition and protection. Since 2020, we have redirected part of our efforts to study SARS-CoV-2, collaborating nationally and internationally to dissect T cell, B cell, and antibody responses to the virus and its variants. By mapping viral epitopes and characterising their presentation by HLA molecules, we aim to predict how mutations affect immune recognition and protection. Our work also explores vaccine durability and the immunological basis of variable responses to infection and vaccination, offering insights into personalised immunity and pandemic preparedness. 

Bio: Prof Stephanie Gras is Head of the Viral & Structural Immunology Laboratory and Deputy Director of the La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science (LIMS) at La Trobe University. A Distinguished Professor and NHMRC Leadership Investigator, she is internationally recognised for her work in T cell immunology and structural biology, with over 150 publications in top-tier journals including Nature, Science, and Cell. Her research has revealed key insights into antigen recognition, HLA associations with asymptomatic COVID-19, and TCR docking mechanisms. Prof Gras is a recipient of multiple fellowships and prestigious awards, including the Georgina Sweet Award, SCANZ Sandy Mathieson Medal and the ASBMB Shimadzu Medal. She is also co-founder of Resseptor Therapeutics, developing T cell-based therapies.