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Research Groups
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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
Current Projects
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East Timor – confirmatory testing for Hepatitis B using dried blood spots
As a World Health Organization (WHO) Collaborating Centre for Viral Hepatitis Suellen’s group is involved in the development and evaluation of a laboratory method for hepatitis B virus confirmation using dried blood spot filter paper testing as an alternative method to venous blood collection. This method is to be used in a study in the Western Pacific region in collaboration with the Australasian Society for HIV Medicine (ASHM).
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Web based submission of Global Proficiency Panel results for Measles and Rubella
Part of VIDRL’s role as a WHO Western Pacific Regional Reference Laboratory for Measles and Rubella is to prepare and distribute a 'Global Proficiency Panel for Measles and Rubella' annually to approximately 250 laboratories worldwide, and to collate and report the results. Suellen’s group has developed and is in the process of implementing a new web based method for laboratories to report their results back.
Lab Team
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Theo KarapanagiotidisDeputy scientist
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Vicki StambosWHO Measles/Rubella scientist
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Sara Al-MoosawiBursary student
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Rianne BrizuelaScientist
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Josie CamilleriScientist
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Stavroula CorbyScientist
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Celia DourosScientist
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Natalie DunbarScientist
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Adam EnriquezScientist
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Marie GerrardScientist
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Di KaramalakisScientist
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Theodora KaminisScientist
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Kate PedrinaScientist
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Laura StevensScientist
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Kristy WitloxScientist
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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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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
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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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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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