Prof Andreas Lopata leads the Molecular Allergy Research Laboratory in the Division of Tropical Health and Medicine, James Cook University, where he leads the Molecular Immunology Program in the Centre for Molecular Therapeutics. Prof Lopata graduated in biological sciences from the Heinrich Heine University of Düsseldorf, Germany, and undertook postgraduate studies at the University of Cape Town, South Africa, where he completed his doctorate and worked in the Institute for Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine. His research focused on the molecular characterisation of allergens and their impact on our immune system. His research team uses cutting-edge approaches in characterising the interactions of immunogenic proteins from different food sources with our human immune system, leading to allergic and inflammatory reactions. The outcomes of his research activities translate into the development of novel diagnostics and platform knowledge for immunotherapeutics. He consults to various organisations including the National Measurement Institute, the National Institute of Occupational Health and the International Union of Immunological Societies sub-committe on allergen nomenclature. In 2006, he moved to Australia, where he works now as a researcher at the JCU.