“The COVID pandemic has shown that vaccines, which take time to develop and roll out, can’t be relied on. We need new host-targeted drugs that can be stockpiled for rapid use to save lives for the next pandemic – which is inevitable.” Associate Professor Michelle Tate

Associate Professor Tate is an international leader in the fields of viral pathogenesis and immunotherapies. She has made significant contributions to understanding the process by which viral infections cause disease and identifying new host-directed therapeutic targets and treatment strategies.

She has made significant contributions to understanding the process by which viral infections cause disease and identifying new host-directed therapeutic targets and treatment strategies

A/Prof Tate’s research interests lie primarily in understanding the molecular mechanisms and host pathways involved in the development of hyperinflammation and severe disease, such as during an influenza A virus infection, as well incurable chronic respiratory diseases such as silicosis and COPD.

Her research program is underpinned by an exceptional track record in translational research and deep involvement in the discovery and biopharma development of novel anti- inflammatory and anti-viral drugs.

A/Prof Tate’s research has been recognised by numerous prestigious awards and NHMRC/MRFF fellowships and grants. She is an editorial board member of three journals – Journal of Virology, Virology Journal and Pathogens.

Education

2010

PhD

University of Melbourne

Melbourne

Awards and Fellowships

2017-2021	Career Development Fellowship	NHMRC
2018	Young Tall Poppy Science Award	AIPS
2016	Christina Fleischmann Memorial Award	International Cytokine and Interferon Society
2016	Career Development Award	Victorian Infection and Immunity Network
2012-2015	Early Career Fellowship	NHMRC
2011	Commendation	Victorian Premier’s Award for Health and Medical Research
2011	Chancellor’s and Dean’s Prize for Excellence	University of Melbourne

Affiliations

Adjunct Associate Professor

Monash University

Links

Google Scholar | ORCID | Scopus | Twitter

Selected publications

• Rosli S, Kirby FJ, Lawlor KE, Rainczuk K, Drummond GR, Mansell A, Tate MD (2019) Repurposing drugs targeting the P2X7 receptor to limit hyperinflammation and disease during influenza virus infection. British J Pharm. 176(19):3834-3844.

• Pinar A, Dowling JK, Bitto NJ, Robertson AA, Latz E, Stewart CR, Drummond GR, Cooper MA, McAuley JL, Tate MD*, Mansell A* (2017) PB1-F2 Peptide Derived from Avian Influenza A Virus H7N9 Induces Inflammation via Activation of the NLRP3 Inflammasome. J Biol Chem 292(3):826-836 * equal senior author.

• Kedzierski L*, Tate MD*, Hsu AC*, Kolesnik TB, Linossi EM, Dagley L, Dong Z, Freeman S, Infusini G, Starkey MR, Bird NL, Chatfield SM, Babon JJ, Huntington N, Belz G, Webb A, Wark PA, Nicola NA, Xu J, Kedzierska K, Hansbro PM, Nicholson SE (2017) Suppressor of cytokine signaling (SOCS)5 ameliorates influenza infection via inhibition of EGFR signaling. Elife. e20444. * equal contribution.

• Ong JD, Mansell A, Tate MD (2017) Hero turned villain: NLRP3 inflammasome-induced inflammation during influenza A virus infection. J Leukoc Biol 101(4):863-874.

• Tate MD, Ong JD, Dowling JK, McAuley JL, Robertson AB, Latz E, Drummond GR, Cooper MA, Hertzog PJ, Mansell A (2016) Reassessing the role of the NLRP3 inflammasome during pathogenic influenza A virus infection via temporal inhibition. Sci Rep 6:27912.

• Thomas BJ, Porritt RA, Hertzog PJ, Bardin PG, Tate MD (2014) Glucocorticosteroids enhance replication of respiratory viruses: effect of adjuvant interferon. Sci Rep 4:7176.

• McAuley JL, Tate MD, MacKenzie-Kludas CJ, Pinar A, Zeng W, Stutz A, Latz E, Brown LE, Mansell A (2013) Activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome by IAV virulence protein PB1-F2 contributes to severe pathophysiology and disease. PLoS Pathog 9:e1003392.

• Tate MD, Brooks AG, Reading PC, Mintern JD (2012) Neutrophils sustain effective CD8⁺ T-cell responses in the respiratory tract following influenza infection. Immunol Cell Biol 90:197-205.

• Tate MD, Brooks AG, Reading PC (2011) Specific sites of N-linked glycosylation on the hemagglutinin of H1N1 subtype influenza A virus determine sensitivity to inhibitors of the innate immune system and virulence in mice. J Immunol 187:1884-1894.

• Tate MD, Ioannidis LJ, Croker B, Brown LE, Brooks AG, Reading PC (2011) The role of neutrophils during mild and severe influenza virus infections of mice. PLoS One 6:e17618.

• Tate MD, Pickett DL, van Rooijen N, Brooks AG, Reading PC (2010) Critical role of airway macrophages in modulating disease severity during influenza virus infection of mice. J Virol 84:7569-7580.

• Tate MD, Deng YM, Jones JE, Anderson GP, Brooks AG, Reading PC (2009) Neutrophils ameliorate lung injury and the development of severe disease during influenza infection. J Immunol 183:7441-7450.

• Harpur CM, West AC, Le Page MA, Lam M, Hodges C, Oseghale O, Gearing AJ, Tate MD (2023) Naturally derived cytokine peptides limit virus replication and severe disease during influenza A virus infection. Clin Transl Immunology. 12:e1443.

• Coldbeck-Shackley RC, Romeo O, Rosli S, Gearing LJ, Gould JA, Lim SS, Van der Hoek KH, Eyre NS, Shue B, Robertson SA, Best SM, Tate MD, Hertzog PJ, Beard MR (2023) Constitutive expression and distinct properties of IFN-epsilon protect the female reproductive tract from Zika virus infection. PLoS Pathog. 19:e1010843.

• Lam M, Mansell A, Tate MD (2022) Another One Fights the Dust: Targeting the NLRP3 Inflammasome for the Treatment of Silicosis. Am J Respir Cell Mol Biol. 66:601-611.

• Bawazeer AO, Rosli S, Harpur CM, Docherty CA, Mansell A, Tate MD (2021) Interleukin-1β exacerbates disease and is a potential therapeutic target to reduce pulmonary inflammation during severe influenza A virus infection. Immunol Cell Biol. 99:737-748.

• Laghlali G, Lawlor KE, TATE MD (2020) Die Another Way: Interplay between Influenza A Virus, Inflammation and Cell Death. Viruses. 12: 401.