Dr Celine Deffrasnes
Senior Research Officer
Working groups
Background
Celine completed her PhD in microbiology and immunology at the Infectious Disease Research Centre and Laval University in Quebec City Canada and subsequently completed postdoctoral training In Viral Immunopathology (West Nile virus encephalitis) with Prof Nicholas King at the University of Sydney, in Disease Prevention & Detection (Hendra virus, paramyxoviruses, human & avian influenza viruses) with Dr Andrew Bean at the CSIRO/ACDP in Geelong and more recently in Viral Pathogenesis (Rabies virus & lyssaviruses) with Dr Greg Moseley at Monash University.
Celine brings a wealth of experience in molecular biology, virology, host-pathogen interactions, immune evasion, antivirals and the study of emerging viral pathogens and has a strong interest in research translation having completed The Bridge Program (MTP Connect).
Qualifications
- 2002, BSc, Infectious Disease Research Centre and Laval Universite, Quebec, Canada
- 2004, MSc, Infectious Disease Research Centre and Laval Universite, Quebec, Canada
- 2009, PhD, Infectious Disease Research Centre and Laval Universite, Quebec, Canada
Burnet publications
Therapeutic Inflammatory Monocyte Modulation Using Immune-Modifying Microparticles
Science Translational Medicine
Céline Deffrasnes
Studying immunity to zoonotic diseases in the natural host — keeping it real
Nature reviews. Immunology
Céline Deffrasnes
Inflammatory monocytes and the pathogenesis of viral encephalitis
Journal of Neuroinflammation
Céline Deffrasnes
Current projects
EVE-M®: enhancing the vaginal environment and microbiome
The vaginal microbiome is a key determinant of a women’s sexual and reproductive health. There is an unmet need for effective non-antibiotic-based strategies to target bacterial vaginosis and its adverse sequelae.
A novel gel for targeting vaginal inflammation to prevent HIV transmission
We have discovered that optimal vaginal Lactobacillus spp. make a product that has direct anti-inflammatory effects on cervicovaginal epithelial cells that could help prevent HIV.
Antimicrobial and immune modulatory effects of vaginal microbiota metabolites
We aim to determine the role of microbiota metabolites in inactivating HIV and other sexually transmitted infections and their effects on cells of the female reproductive tract.