Dr Benjamin Gully gained his PhD in 2016 in the group of Professor Charlie Bond and Professor Swaminathan Iyer at the University of Western Australia, investigating the structural characterisation of a previously ill-defined RNA binding protein family. 

He then moved to Monash University and joined Professor Jamie Rossjohn’s laboratory to investigate the molecular determinants of T cell recognition. Here he utilised a multitude of structural and biochemical techniques to study poorly understood - yet numerous - T cell subsets and other immune cell receptors. He expanded into using single-particle cryoEM and now runs a group studying unconventional T cell subsets 

We investigate the ability of adaptive immune cells to respond to  infections or disease. This specialised cellular system relies on the molecular determination of self, from non-self, via cell surface proteins. Thus understanding these protein complexes in high detail is of great interest and holds vast implications for therapeutic development. We study all three lineages of lymphocytes; B cells, ɑβ T cells and most prominently γδ T cells. 

We use world leading resources and techniques including use of the Monash Ramaciotti Centre for Cryo-Electron Microscopy. Most notably use of Australia’s first Titan KRIOS fitted with a Falcon III Direct Electron Detector, a Gatan Energy Filter with a K2 Summit Direct Electron Detector, and Volta Phase Plate. In addition we have fortnightly access to the world leading facilities at the Australian Synchrotron after generating protein crystals with the Monash Molecular Crystallisation Facility. Using these resources we have charctersied novel and meritoroius immune complexes publishing in journals such as Science and Nature communications.