On Tuesday, 28 January, only a few days after diagnosing Victoria’s first positive novel coronavirus case, Doherty Institute scientists confirmed they had successfully grown the virus in the laboratory. The Institute was the first to grow the virus outside of China and share it with public health laboratories nationally and the World Health Organization.
This was a crucial first step in the global response to the novel coronavirus, as it allows researchers to not only validate test results, but also commence work on better diagnostic tests, treatments and a vaccine.
Our team of experts here at the Doherty Institute continue their vital work to minimise the impact of the novel coronavirus. We have clinicians treating patients in hospitals; scientists continuing to perform tests on suspected cases; epidemiologists working closely with the state and Commonwealth Governments on policy; and researchers working on antibody tests, treatments and a vaccine.
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Research Groups
Clinical Research
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Chung group
The Chung group is interested in understanding the biophysical and functional properties of antibodies that are associated with protection against a range of infectious diseases, which will provide important insights to improve antibody-based vaccines and therapies.
Other work areas include:Viral Infectious Diseases
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Kedzierska Group
Katherine’s team researches the immunity to viral infections, especially the newly emerged influenza viruses. Her work spans basic research – from mouse experiments to human immunity, through to clinical settings, with a particular focus on understanding universal CD8+ T cell immunity to influenza viruses. Her studies aim to identify key correlates of severe and fatal influenza disease in high-risk groups including children, the elderly and Indigenous Australians.
Other work areas include:Immunology, Viral Infectious Diseases, Influenza
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Kent Group
Stephen’s group studies immunity to HIV and influenza. They are analysing a variety of vaccine strategies, including nanoparticle-based vaccines. They are studying a series of immune responses to gain better insights into protective immunity to important viral pathogens.
Other work areas include:Immunology, HIV, Influenza
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Lewin Group
The main focus of the Lewin group 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:Immunology, Viral Infectious Diseases, Hepatitis , HIV
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McVernon Group
Jodie McVernon’s group uses established and emerging biostatistical, epidemiologic and modelling methods to address infectious diseases questions of public health relevance. We bring a suite of collaborators from animal health and ecology to provide a ‘One Health’ perspective on emerging human pathogens.
Other work areas include:Viral Infectious Diseases, Antimicrobial Resistance and Healthcare Associated Infections, Public Health
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Purcell Lab
Professor Damian Purcell’s research group investigates the HIV-1 and HTLV-1 human retroviruses that cause AIDS and leukaemia/inflammatory pathogenesis respectively. The lab studies their genetic structure and gene expression with a focus on defining the mechanisms that control viral persistence and pathogenesis. The molecular interplay of viral and host factors during viral infection and the innate and adaptive immune responses to viral infection are examined. These molecular insights are used to develop new antiviral and curative therapeutics, preventive prophylactic vaccines and passive antibody microbicides and therapeutics. Some of these patented discoveries have been commercialised and we are assisting with clinical trials.
Other work areas include:Immunology, Viral Infectious Diseases, Host Pathogens Interactions , HIV
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Reading Group
Patrick’s group investigates how the body first detects and responds to respiratory viruses. They investigate viral attachment factors, cellular receptors and entry pathways, virus-induced activation of host genes and the mechanisms by which intracellular host proteins can block virus replication.
Other work areas include:Immunology, Viral Infectious Diseases, Influenza
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Sullivan Group
Sheena’s epidemiology group at the WHO Collaborating Centre for Reference and Research on Influenza undertakes research into understanding influenza vaccine effectiveness and the validity of the methods used to estimate it. The group also provides technical assistance to partners in the Western Pacific Region of the WHO.
Other work areas include:Immunology, Viral Infectious Diseases, Influenza
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Torresi Group
Joe’s group is focused on hepatitis virology including work on hepatitis C vaccines and neutralising antibody responses and hepatitis B and C pathogenesis. In addition, his group conducts clinical research in travel medicine including dengue and other arboviral infections.
Other work areas include:Viral Infectious Diseases
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Vaccine and Immunisation Research Group
Based at the Doherty Institute, the Vaccine and Immunisation Research Group (VIRGo) works in partnership with the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute (MCRI, Infection and Immunity Theme). Our research enables us to advise policy makers on the optimal use of vaccines in national immunisation schedules, in pandemic influenza preparedness and response, and in vaccine safety. Our work provides practical bridges (translation) between theory and the real-world delivery of vaccine programs. VIRGo leads Vax4COVID, an alliance of experienced Australian vaccine clinical trial centres formed to facilitate the conduct of Phase II trials of SARS-CoV-2 vaccine candidates.
Other work areas include:Immunology, Viral Infectious Diseases
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Victorian Infectious Disease Reference Laboratory
The Victorian Infectious Disease Reference Laboratory (VIDRL) is a leading Australian infectious diseases reference laboratory at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity (the Doherty). VIDRL provides laboratory services for the Department of Health Victoria, Victorian hospitals and clinics, the Commonwealth Department of Health, and the World Health Organisation.
Other work areas include:Viral Infectious Diseases
Now recruiting volunteers
There are currently no Now recruiting volunteers
Current projects
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COVID-19Viral Infectious DiseasesPublic Health
Australasian COVID-19 Trial (ASCOT)
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COVID-19ImmunologyViral Infectious DiseasesPublic Health
The Sentinel Travellers and Research Preparedness Platform for Emerging Infection Disease (SETREP-ID)
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