Precision blood-cell biomarkers for early prediction of severe dengue

Project Overview

This project will establish a prospective dengue cohort at University Malaya Medical Centre to identify early blood-cell signatures predicting severe dengue disease. Peripheral blood samples will be collected at first patient presentation; PBMCs and plasma will be processed and cryopreserved. Fresh-blood immunophenotyping including neutrophils will be done locally in Kuala Lumpur, and cryopreserved samples will be sent to Melbourne for advanced CyTOF and CITE-seq profiling. Machine learning will integrate data to develop a compact biomarker panel suitable for point-of-care diagnostics.

What You Will Do

You will conduct clinical and biobank-linked research involving immunology, animal cell culture, and core molecular biology techniques. You will perform rigorous data documentation, management, and scientific writing. You will analyze multi-omics data with preference for experience in R/Python and will receive cross-site co-supervision and training with the Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute.

Expected Outcomes

The project aims to deliver a validated predictive biomarker signature and an industry-ready analytical pipeline, supported by a joint clinical, immunology, and bioinformatics team. This will facilitate early diagnosis and improved clinical management of severe dengue cases.

Why This Matters

Dengue is a major global health concern, especially in tropical regions. Early identification of patients at risk of severe disease could significantly improve treatment outcomes and reduce mortality. This research will provide novel biomarkers and diagnostics tools to help clinicians make timely decisions, potentially saving lives and reducing healthcare burdens.