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Immunotoxicology
Dr Chow Sek Chuen
chow. sek. chuen @ monash. edu
Professor and Director( Graduate
Research)
Expertise Public Regulation health of apoptosis
Education T-lymphocyte biology Financial Toxicology statistics
Achievement / Award rd
Silver Medal- 33 International Invention, Innovation, and Technology Exhibition( 2022)
I study the modulation of the immune system by xenobiotics. Disruption of immunity by xenobiotics is known to have profound effects on immune function. My interest lies in the understanding of how xenobiotics modulate the immune system, particularly the T-lymphocyte function. This knowledge will provide insights into the development of new strategies for therapeutic intervention for some immunological disorders.
My team also investigates the mechanism and regulation of programmed cell death or apoptosis. Many diseases, including most autoimmune diseases, arise from either immunosuppression or hyperactivity of the immune system, caused by inappropriate or deregulated apoptosis. Understanding these processes can offer opportunities to advance our knowledge on the molecular basis of infection and diseases in the immune system.
I also study the mechanisms of death and extracellular survival of the apicomplexan parasite Toxoplasma gondii. Identification of the effectors involved in the parasite’ s death pathway can be exploited for anti-parasitic drug development to combat and eliminate parasites that cause widespread infections.
Investigating how the immune system works will provide insights into how some immunological diseases arise and offer opportunities to understand the molecular basis of infection and diseases in the immune system
SCHOOL OF SCIENCE CAPABILITIES