The Australian National University scientists, including Indian-origin researcher Dr Anukriti Mathur, have found a protein inside the immune system that could be used to fight against a potentially lethal bacteria.

The research, published in EMBO Reports, explores how the clever protein helps detect and warn against the Clostridium perfringens bacteria. The bacteria is a common cause of food poisoning and in severe cases it can cause deadly infections, including gangrene. 

Dr. Mathur told The Australia Today she hopes her work will advance knowledge of the immune system and lead her to establish an "immunology-focused laboratory that would foster Australia and India collaborations."