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Research Groups
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Lewin/Cameron Group
The main focus of the Lewin-Cameron laboratory is to understand why HIV infection persists on antiretroviral therapy, to develop new strategies to eliminate latency and to define the biological determinants of immune reconstitution and factors that drive liver disease in HIV-hepatitis B virus co-infection.
Other work areas include: HIV, Immunology
Current Projects
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HIV and co-infections
Co-infections with viral or bacterial pathogens cause significant morbidity in patients with HIV. In the case of HIV/HBV co-infection, morbidity and mortality secondary to liver disease is greatly increased compared to those infected with HBV or HIV alone. Mortality remains elevated even after treating both the HIV and HBV virus. The HBV Immunology Lab investigates the mechanism of how HIV can accelerate liver disease in patients co-infected with HBV. They hypothesise that this occurs by combined effects of HIV and HBV on inflammation in the liver. These studies could potentially lead to new treatments for liver disease. In addition they have a long-standing interest in developing novel assays to characterise the immune response to other important HIV co-infections, including cytomegalovirus (CMV) and Cryptococcus.
Lab Team
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Associate Professor Paul CameronJoint Lab head
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Dr Jasminka SterjovskiResearch Manager
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Julia StoutProject Manager
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Dr Jennifer AudsleyPost-doctoral Research Fellow
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Dr Jenny AndersonPost-doctoral Research Fellow
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Dr Vanessa EvansPost-doctoral Research Fellow
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Dr Renee van de SluisPost-doctoral Research Fellow
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Dr Jori SymonsPost-doctoral Research Fellow
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Dr Michael RochePost-doctoral Fellow
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Ajantha RhodesLab Manager
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Surekha TennakoonResearch Officer
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Ashanti DantanarayanaResearch Assistant
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Simin RezaeiPhD student
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Dr Kasha SinghPhD student
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Talia MotaPhD student
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Dr Michelle YongPhD student
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Dr Matthew PitmanPhD student
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Youry KimPhD student
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Zuwena RichardsonPhD student
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Ashish NairCasual RA
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Haoming LiuStudent
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Wei ZhaoResearch Fellow
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Jared SternHonours Student
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Bowden Group
Scott’s laboratory is the State Reference Laboratory for molecular testing of the hepatitis viruses and has been involved in outbreak investigation of hepatitis A, B, C and E for the Victorian Department of Health, as well as for other Australian states.
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Cowie Group
Ben’s group focuses on viral hepatitis epidemiological research. The team undertakes a broad range of activities supporting local, national and global control of viral hepatitis, through surveillance, treatment and prevention initiatives, and training and regional capacity building.
Other work areas include: Public Health
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Locarnini Group
The current major research interests of Stephen’s group includes viral hepatitis and antiviral chemotherapy with an emphasis on the basic virology of hepatitis B virus, the molecular pathogenesis of hepatitis, as well as prevention and public health control measures.
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Nicholson Group
Suellen's group fulfills a dual mission of providing a technically first class, reliable diagnostic, reference and public health service to the healthcare system, and being an innovative, adaptable, forward-looking component of the scientific community and a valued collaborator in research projects, not just in Victoria, but nationally and in the region.
Other work areas include: HIV
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Revill Group
Peter’s group investigates the role of different HBV genotypes and variants in the HBV life cycle, disease progression and treatment response. This includes the role of splice variants, which his team has shown are predictive of liver cancer.
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Vincan Group
Elizabeth’s group investigates novel ways to block cancer growth with a focus on the gastrointestinal tract – stomach, bowel and liver. A cell-cell communication pathway called Wnt is hyperactive in these cancers. Their research shows inhibiting Wnt has potent anti-cancer effects.
Other work areas include: Immunology
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Walsh Group
Renae’s group studies key HBV proteins to predict clinical response during chronic disease towards understanding the interaction with/recognition by the host antibody response to clear infection, and how the antibody response might be enhanced to promote viral clearance and cure.
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