Infection and Immunity Doherty Institute

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. 
 
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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.
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Have a question or topic you'd like us to explore in a future episode? Contact us via email doherty-media@unimelb.edu.au
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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
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Have a question or topic you'd like us to explore in a future episode? Contact us via email doherty-media@unimelb.edu.au
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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.au
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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
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Have a question or topic you'd like us to explore in a future episode? Contact us via email doherty-media@unimelb.edu.au
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Does your immune system remember viruses you've previously been infected with? Do your genetics play a role in your immune system? Can you boost immunity with certain foods or vitamins?
Ahead of the International Day of Immunology (April 29) we chat with Nobel Laureate Professor Peter Doherty to answer these questions and more, unravelling the complexities and exploring the wonders of our body's line of defence against disease; our immune system.
Show notes:
An Insider's Plague Year written by Peter Doherty 
The Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine 1996 was awarded jointly to Peter C. Doherty and Rolf M. Zinkernagel "for their discoveries concerning the specificity of the cell mediated immune defence"
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Have a question or topic you'd like us to explore in a future episode? Contact us via email doherty-media@unimelb.edu.au
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