Alec Redwood

Alec Redwood serves as an Adjunct Associate Professor at the University of Western Australia, holding dual appointments at the UWA Medical School and the School of Biomedical Sciences. He is affiliated with both the UWA Centre for Medical Research (which is part of the Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research) and the Australian Centre for RNA Therapeutics in Cancer. As a Principal Research Fellow, Dr. Redwood leads the Vaccine and Viral Immunity Laboratory, where he conducts cutting-edge research at the intersection of virology and immunology.

Dr. Redwood's research focuses on the complex interplay between viruses and the host immune system, with particular expertise in cytomegaloviruses (CMVs). His work has revealed how CMVs have evolved sophisticated immune evasion strategies, including through allelic immune evasion genes. By developing wild-derived murine CMV strains, he has provided unique insights into viral evolution, immune manipulation, and the dynamics of natural mixed infections. His research demonstrates how multiple CMV strains interact within hosts, showing that natural killer (NK) cell responses and immune pressures drive viral competition and evolution.

His publication record shows a clear shift toward translational applications, with recent work focusing on cancer immunotherapy, particularly neoantigen-targeted cancer vaccines. His most recent articles (2024-2025) demonstrate expertise spanning virology, immunology, oncology, and computational biology. The articles reveal a research trajectory that bridges fundamental virology with practical applications in vaccine development and cancer treatment, with particular emphasis on mesothelioma, lung cancer, and transmissible vaccine technologies.

Dr. Redwood actively supervises graduate students, currently serving as primary supervisor for one PhD candidate and co-supervisor for another. His research is supported by multiple significant grants including from the National Institutes of Health (USA), NHMRC, Cancer Research Trust, Department of Health (Western Australia), Perth Children's Hospital, and Insurance & Care NSW. These grants fund projects including 'A mathematical theory of transmissible vaccines,' 'The Mesothelioma AI Genomics and Immunology Consortium (MAGIC),' and research on 'silent mutations' as prognostic markers.

His laboratory work spans multiple domains including virology (particularly herpesviruses), immunology (cellular immunity and T cell responses), cancer research (neoantigens and immunotherapy), and vaccine development (both traditional and innovative transmissible vaccines). The Vaccine and Viral Immunity Laboratory maintains strong connections with clinical research through collaborations with the Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research and the Australian Centre for RNA Therapeutics in Cancer.