Hepatitis|Research

• Cowie Group

  Ben’s group focuses on viral hepatitis epidemiological research. The team undertakes a broad range of activities supporting local, national and global control of viral hepatitis, through surveillance, treatment and prevention initiatives, and training and regional capacity building. 

  • Projects
  • Lab Team

  Other work areas include:Public Health

  

  Professor Benjamin Cowie
  Director, WHO Collaborating Centre for Viral Hepatitis

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Current Projects

• Blood-borne viruses and sexually transmissible infections surveillance and research program: surveillance for hepatitis B indicators

  A key aspect of Australia’s National Hepatitis B Strategy 2014-2017 is the identification of specific measurable aims and targets, including increasing the proportion of people living with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) who have been diagnosed, increasing treatment uptake in those affected, and reducing the burden of attributable morbidity and mortality associated with the disease.

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• The National Viral Hepatitis Mapping Project

  The National Viral Hepatitis Mapping Project aims to facilitate a comprehensive understanding of chronic hepatitis B (CHB) and chronic hepatitis C (CHC) in Australia, by assessing geographic variation in prevalence, management, and treatment. This project informs targeted awareness and intervention campaigns localised to suit the needs of people living with CHB and CHC and those providing services.

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• Liver cancer prevention: linking viral hepatitis diagnosis, treatment, and outcomes

  This data linkage project examines the burden of viral hepatitis and associated adverse outcomes in Victoria, and the uptake and effectiveness of interventions such as antiviral treatment and liver cancer surveillance of reducing the impact of these infections.

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• Victorian Enhanced Viral Hepatitis Surveillance Project

  On behalf of and in collaboration with the Department of Health and Human Services, the Enhanced Viral Hepatitis Surveillance Project aims to simplify the process of chronic hepatitis B and C notification in Victoria, to increase notification data completeness and improve and inform public health and policy responses. The project also aims to increase clinicians’ awareness and engagement regarding viral hepatitis, improving care and prevention access for those diagnosed, increase vaccine ordering and improving the ability to identify cases of chronic viral hepatitis with potential public health significance. 

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Lab Team

• Dr Nicole Allard

  Research Fellow
• Jennifer MacLachlan

  Senior Epidemiologist, Honorary Lecturer
• Roisin McColl

  Research Administration Officer
• Anh Nguyen

  Infectious Disease Modeler
• Nicole Romero

  Epidemiologist
• Amelia Savage

  Program Manager, WHO Collaborating Centre for Viral Hepatitis
• Lien Tran

  PhD Scholar
• Roisin McColl

  Research Administration Officer
• Mielle Abbott

  Linkage to Care Coordinator

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• Bowden Group

  Scott’s laboratory is the State Reference Laboratory for molecular testing of the hepatitis viruses and has been involved in outbreak investigation of hepatitis A, B, C and E for the Victorian Department of Health, as well as for other Australian states.

  • Projects
  • Lab Team

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• Locarnini Group

  The current major research interests of Stephen’s group includes viral hepatitis and antiviral chemotherapy with an emphasis on the basic virology of hepatitis B virus, the molecular pathogenesis of hepatitis, as well as prevention and public health control measures.

  • Projects
  • Lab Team

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• Nicholson Group

  Suellen's group fulfills a dual mission of providing a technically first class, reliable diagnostic, reference and public health service to the healthcare system, and being an innovative, adaptable, forward-looking component of the scientific community and a valued collaborator in research projects, not just in Victoria, but nationally and in the region.

  • Projects
  • Lab Team

  Other work areas include:HIV

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• Revill Group

  Peter’s group investigates the role of different HBV genotypes and variants in the HBV life cycle, disease progression and treatment response. This includes the role of splice variants, which his team has shown are predictive of liver cancer.

  • Projects
  • Lab Team

  

  Professor Peter Revill
  Section Head, Molecular Virology Group, Division of Research and Molecular Development

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• Walsh Group

  Renae’s group studies key HBV proteins to predict clinical response during chronic disease towards understanding the interaction with/recognition by the host antibody response to clear infection, and how the antibody response might be enhanced to promote viral clearance and cure. 

  • Projects
  • Lab Team

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