Infection and Immunity

World Hepatitis Day, observed annually on 28 July, is just around the corner and aims to raise awareness of the virus that’s responsible for more than one million deaths a year. But what is hepatitis and what’s the difference between strains A-E? What are researchers doing to find a cure for the most common strain, hepatitis B? Discover answers to these questions and more from Professor Peter Revill, Head of Regional and Global Health at the Victorian Infectious Diseases Reference Laboratory and Head of International Research Partnerships at the Doherty Institute.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Post infection disease is a term that has become more familiar to many more of us following the COVID-19 pandemic. How do we diagnose and treat post infection disease, like Long COVID? And how to we add this aspect to our future pandemic preparedness? Learn more about common symptoms, at-risk groups and more from Long COVID expert Professor Lena Sanci, Head of the Department of General Practice and Primary Care at the University of Melbourne. Get in touch Have a question or topic you'd like us to explore in a future episode? Contact us via email doherty-media@unimelb.edu.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With COVID-19 being described as an endemic infection, we are now very much living with the virus. As we approach the Winter months in Australia, where are we at with case numbers? When is the correct time to get a your booster vaccination for COVID-19? And how effective are antiviral treatments? To give us an update on COVID-19, we're joined by Professor Ben Cowie, an infectious diseases physician and epidemiologist at the Royal Melbourne Hospital and Chief Health Officer in Victoria’s Department of Health. Show notes COVID-19 vaccine advice and recommendations for 2024 - Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care website COVID-19 booster eligibility checker - Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care website Get in touch Have a question or topic you'd like us to explore in a future episode? Contact us via email doherty-media@unimelb.edu.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Monday, 20 May marked International Clinical Trials Day, which recognises the anniversary of the first controlled clinical trial conducted back in 1747. So why are clinical trials important when it comes to advancing therapeutics and vaccines? Are clinical trials safe? What's involved if you participate in a trial? We learn more from infectious diseases physician and clinician scientist, Professor Michelle Giles, head of the Vaccine Research Group at the Doherty Institute. Show notes: Now recruiting volunteers: Are you interested in being part of an RSV vaccine study? Get in touch Want to join the Vaccine Research Group database to find out about clinical trial volunteer opportunities?  Email: virgo-studies@unimelb.edu.au Phone: +61 3 8344 9325 or +61 4 1832 2346 Have a question or topic you'd like us to explore in a future episode? Contact us via email doherty-media@unimelb.edu.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Influenza B viruses are often overlooked but can cause significant illness and mortality, especially in children. Little is known about how the immune system interacts with these viruses, however a recent breakthrough by researchers at the Doherty Institute may revolutionise how we are protected against influenza B and for longer periods. Tejas Menon, co-author of the recent discovery and PhD Candidate at the Doherty Institute, explains how the immune system consistently recognises fragments of influenza B viruses, which opens up potential new targets for vaccine development. Show notes: News story: New frontiers in influenza B research: Breakthrough unveils promising targets for vaccine development Peer review: Menon T, Illing P, Chaurasia P, et al. CD8+ T-cell responses towards conserved influenza B virus epitopes across anatomical sites and age. Nature Communications (2024). DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-024-47576-y   Check out our previous episode: Here’s what you need to know about flu season 2024 Get in touch Have a question or topic you'd like us to explore in a future episode? Contact us via email doherty-media@unimelb.edu.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nobel Laureate Professor Peter Doherty delves into how our immune system works, debunking myths about immunity-boosting foods and vitamins. They explore herd immunity, aging's impact on immunity, and the complexities of the immune system's cell counting. A fascinating discussion on the wonders of our body's defense against disease.

We’re just a couple of weeks away from May, which marks the official start of the influenza season in Australia. So what can we expect from the upcoming flu season and when is the best time to get your annual flu vaccine?  Learn more about flu vaccination, virus variants and current influenza surveillance from Virologist and Director of the World Health Organization Collaborating Centre for Reference and Research on Influenza, Professor Kanta Subbarao. Show notes: Learn more about Influenza vaccination and the National Immunisation Program via the Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care website. Interested in the work of the WHO Collaborating Centre for Reference and Research on Influenza at the Doherty Institute? Visit the Centre website. Check out our episode on avian influenza: Avian influenza (H5N1): why are experts concerned about the virus reaching Antarctica? Find out about recent announcement of funding from the Novo Nordisk Foundation to develop a novel antiviral drug to counter influenza. Get in touch Have a question or topic you'd like us to explore in a future episode? Contact us via email doherty-media@unimelb.edu.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week Doherty Clinical Trials Ltd, Australia’s first purpose-built facility specifically commissioned to deliver volunteer infection studies, was officially opened by the Victorian Minister for Medical Research, The Honourable Ben Carroll MP. Doherty Clinical Trials has been established by the Doherty Institute to accelerate the development of novel medicines and vaccines through bespoke early phase clinical trials. So, what is a volunteer infection study? How is it different to other clinical trial facilities? Find out more from Doherty Clinical Trials Chief Medical Officer, Professor James McCarthy and Director of the Doherty Institute, Professor Sharon Lewin. Shownotes: Doherty Clinical Trials website Media release: Australia’s first purpose-built facility to deliver human challenge trials launches in Melbourne The Age: Virus volunteers to help Melbourne’s new human trials clinic prepare for the next pandemic Get in touch Have a question or topic you'd like us to explore in a future episode? Contact us via email doherty-media@unimelb.edu.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From protecting local communities to safeguarding global health, vaccines have been transforming public health for over 200 years. According to the World Health Organization, between 3.5 and 5 million lives are saved every year thanks to vaccines, which help protect us from diseases such diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, influenza and measles. Professor Arup Chakraborty, a luminary from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology joins the podcast ahead of the Miegunyah Distinguished Fellowship Public Lecture 'Vaccination through the ages' on Monday, 25 March at the Doherty Institute. We take a dive into the fascinating world of vaccines; from their historical roots to the cutting-edge science shaping our future. Shownotes: Register to attend the Miegunyah Distinguished Fellowship Public LectureHybrid event - online tickets still available. Get in touch Have a question or topic you'd like us to explore in a future episode? Contact us via email doherty-media@unimelb.edu.au  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Despite being vaccine-preventable, outbreaks of measles are currently occurring in every region of the world, with many countries reporting their first case in years. In Australia, the disease was considered eliminated in 2014, but a series of imported case alerts begs the question – do we need to be concerned? To shed some light on the situation where we're seeing cases of measles on the rise globally, we speak with The Royal Melbourne Hospital’s Dr Katherine Gibney, an infectious diseases and public health physician, and medical epidemiologist at the Doherty Institute.  Shownotes A 30-fold rise of measles cases in 2023 in the WHO European Region warrants urgent action Victorian Department of Health measles alerts Get in touch Have a question or topic you'd like us to explore in a future episode? Contact us via email doherty-media@unimelb.edu.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.