Adventures with human cells 
(Lectures)
6 December 2012
4pm
Venue: Old Government House Lecture Theatre (102-G36)
Inaugural lecture by Professor Rod Dunbar, School of Biological Sciences and Maurice Wilkins Centre
Developing new treatments for human disease has long relied on the study of human cells kept alive in the laboratory. Cells derived from cancerous tumours often grow well in plastic containers, and they are still the most common cells to find in a research laboratory incubator. But some normal human cells can also be grown in the laboratory, and enable different types of research – including testing whether the cells themselves might be useful as therapy.
Cells from the human immune system are particularly accessible for study, and much of my work has revolved around human immune cells such as T cells and dendritic cells. “Culturing” these cells led to an appreciation of the potential for purifying other cell types from tissues such as human skin and fat, so our laboratory now works on a range of normal human cells from stem cells to skin cells.
In this lecture I will present some of the discoveries that we have made in our adventures with human cells – and attempt to predict some of the new treatments that human cell culture will enable.
All are welcome to this public lecture.
Refreshments to follow after the lecture in the Thomas Building Common Room, 3a Symonds Street.
