Work undertaken at the Doherty Institute is centred around the following themes and cross-cutting disciplines:
Themes
The Doherty Institute has world-leading scientists working to understand how the human immune system recognises infectious agents and enables an effective response to not only eliminate infection, but also develop immunological memory, which is vital for the discovery and development of new vaccines and therapeutics.
The Doherty Institute specialises in research, surveillance, diagnosis, treatment and cure of a range of viral infectious diseases, with a particular focus on
The Doherty Institute is focused on addressing the increasing threat of antimicrobial resistant (AMR) pathogens and acquisition of healthcare associated infections, particularly through surveillance and research.
The Doherty Institute focuses on the research, diagnosis and treatment of a range of host-pathogen related diseases, with a particular focus on
Cross-Cutting Disciplines
The Doherty Institute is strongly engaged in public health within Victoria, Australia and internationally through its work in infectious diseases and immunity. It houses both of Victoria’s specialist infectious diseases reference laboratories – Victorian Infectious Diseases Reference Laboratory and Microbiological Diagnostic Unit Public Health Laboratory.
Epidemiological research and surveillance is central to the Doherty Institute’s role in understanding and reducing infectious diseases, which cause significant or increasing health burdens in populations in Australia and globally.
The Doherty Institute combines discovery science and clinical research to improve health outcomes, with a focus the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of infectious diseases globally through the translation of basic scientific discoveries into clinical practice.
The Doherty Institute has formed many international partnerships and collaborations to address numerous health issues affecting communities on a global level, and is home to internationally recognised research leaders specialising in dengue, malaria, typhoid, HIV, tuberculosis, antimicrobial resistance, maternal and child health, and early-life nutrition.
The Doherty Institute provides a wealth of education and professional development opportunities through its state-of-the-art facilities and world-leading experts in infectious diseases and immunity. The University of Melbourne’s Department of Microbiology and Immunology delivers specialised courses in bacteriology, virology and immunology along with more generalist infection and immunity subjects.
Indigenous Australians are widely affected by a disproportionate health burden from infectious diseases. The Doherty Institute is focused on collaborating with other Australian organisations to address this major issue.
The Doherty Institute is actively engaged in the field of genomics at both a national level and internationally through its primary research activities and public health laboratory-led initiatives. Genomics is being used to support and enhance ongoing public health activities such as antibiotic resistance tracking, disease surveillance and outbreak response.