Infection and Immunity

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.

Legionnaires’ disease made headlines in Australia at the beginning of the year due to an outbreak of the lung infection in Sydney’s city centre. Fundamental to effective Legionnaires’ disease outbreak control is the ability to rapidly identify the environmental sources of the causative bacteria, Legionella pneumophila. Could artificial intelligence be the answer? Dr. Andrew Buultjens is the lead author of a transformative study harnessing the power of machine learning to accurately pinpoint the origins of this bacteria. Shownotes Peer review article: Buultjens AH, Vandelannoote K, Mercoulia K, Ballard S, Sloggett C, Howden BP, Seemann T, Stinear TP. 0. High performance Legionella pneumophila source attribution using genomics-based machine learning classification. Appl Environ Microbiol 0:e01292-23.https://doi.org/10.1128/aem.01292-23 NSW Health Legionnaires' disease alert for Sydney CBD 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.

Numbers of Buruli ulcer cases have been increasing to between 200-340 cases per year since 2017, with 363 cases diagnosed in Victoria during 2023 alone.  Mornington Peninsula resident, Ella Crofts, who contracted a Buruli ulcer at age 13 back in 2017 joins the episode with a unique story to tell. Shownotes Listen to our previous episode on Buruli ulcer with Professor Tim Stinear. Buruli ulcer part one: 80 year-long transmission mystery solved Channel 9 news story featuring Ella Beating Buruli in Victoria project Short video on how you can protect yourself and stop the spread of Buruli ulcer, featuring Professor Tim Stinear 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.

The debilitating ‘flesh-eating’ infection that is Buruli ulcer has captivated Victorians in particular over the last 10 years or so, due to its increasing incidence in the state. Mosquitoes have been considered likely to be involved in transmission of the bacteria, Mycobacterium ulcerans, conclusive evidence about how humans get infected has been elusive, until now. University of Melbourne Professor Tim Stinear, molecular microbiologist and Director of the WHO Collaborating Centre for Mycobacterium ulcerans at the Doherty Institute, explains the latest groundbreaking findings into the transmission of the neglected tropical skin disease. Shownotes: News article announcing findings: 80-year mystery solved: Mosquitoes spread flesh-eating Buruli ulcer Peer-review article: Mee P, Buultjens A, et al. Mosquitoes provide a transmission route between possums and humans for Buruli ulcer in southeastern Australia. Nature Microbiology (2024). DOI: http://doi.org/10.1038/s41564-023-01553-1  Article by research team: Mosquitoes can spread the flesh-eating Buruli ulcer. Here’s how you can protect yourself WHO Collaborating Centre for Mycobacterium ulcerans website Short video on how you can protect yourself and stop the spread of Buruli ulcer, featuring Professor Tim Stinear Beating Buruli in Victoria project 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.

While much of our attention has been on COVID-19 over the last few years, another pandemic has reeked havoc on more than 200 species of wild birds. The spread of H5N1 or bird flu as its more commonly known, to migrating birds has seen substantial outbreaks occur in Europe, Asia, Africa, North America and South America. As this podcast goes to air, there’s been at least one suspected case in Antarctica. Expert in the wild bird viruses, Dr Michelle Wille, explains why this could be catastrophic. Show notes: To report sick or dead birds to the Emergency animal disease watch hotline is 1800 675 888. Get in touch Have a question or topic you'd like us to explore in a future episode? You will go in the draw to win a signed copy of Life As We Knew It. Entries close Friday, 26 January.Contact us via email doherty-media@unimelb.edu.au See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.