معرفی
Dr. Patricia Illing is a Senior Research Fellow in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at Monash University’s Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences. She is actively leading research in immunopeptidomics, antigen presentation, and HLA-associated diseases, with a focus on drug hypersensitivity and viral immunity. Her work integrates mass spectrometry with functional immunology to understand how genetic and environmental factors influence immune responses.
- PhD, University of Melbourne (2014)
- Supervisor: Prof James McCluskey
- Current Lab: Prof Tony Purcell, Monash University
Her research centers on the role of Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) in disease, particularly how small molecules and infections alter peptide presentation to T cells. Key areas include drug-induced hypersensitivity (e.g., abacavir), influenza immunity, and type 1 diabetes. She employs cutting-edge techniques in proteomics and bioinformatics to map the immunopeptidome and develop tools for data analysis.
Recent publications (2023–2024) highlight her leadership in immunopeptidomics, including studies on SARS-CoV-2 antigen presentation, conserved influenza epitopes, and the development of MHCpLogics — a machine learning tool for immunopeptidome analysis. Her work spans virology, autoimmunity, and computational biology, with strong translational potential for vaccine design and personalized medicine.
Dr. Illing is a Chief Investigator on multiple active grants, including NHMRC and mRNA Victoria-funded projects focused on influenza immunity and RNA purification platforms. She is accepting PhD students through Monash’s Supervisor Connect program and continues to publish in high-impact journals such as Nature Communications, PNAS, and Molecular & Cellular Proteomics.
Her research contributes to UN Sustainable Development Goal 3: Good Health and Well-being. Collaborators include Professors Purcell, Rossjohn, Kedzierska, and Mifsud, among others.
She has over 47 research outputs, including articles, reviews, and book chapters, with significant citation impact and media attention. Her work has been featured in news outlets, blogs, and social media platforms, reflecting broad scientific and public interest.
