Dr. Nicodemus Tedla

Biography

Professor Nicodemus Tedla is a prominent researcher in the field of immunology, particularly focused on the functional properties and regulation of a new class of immuno-regulatory receptors known as Leukocyte immunoglobulin-like receptors (LILRs). His research includes defining the functional roles of these receptors in maintaining the delicate balance between immune activation and inhibition, with significant implications for understanding the clinical consequences of receptor and ligand dysregulation in autoimmune diseases. He has published several high-impact papers illustrating how LILRs modulate cellular responses through immunoreceptor tyrosine-based inhibitory motifs when associated with Fc gamma receptor chains containing immuno-receptor tyrosine-based activation motifs. Professor Tedla has demonstrated that the imbalance of activating and inhibitory functions of LILRs in leucocytes contributes to the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis and multiple sclerosis. He has also developed a new ELISA method for determining soluble LILR receptor levels and identified novel candidate ligands that activate LILRA1 and soluble LILRA3. His current research efforts include defining the role of LILRs in the pathogenesis of inflammatory arthritis, multiple sclerosis, and inflammatory bowel diseases. Additionally, he is involved in an international patent development of LILR antagonists and agonists for treating chronic inflammatory conditions and is a recipient of NHMRC project grants to pursue these studies.

Research Interests