Hepatitis|Research

• 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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Current Projects

• Kiribati – confirmatory testing for Hepatitis B using dried blood spots

  This is an additional component of the Kiribati project. Suellen’s group is involved in the development and evaluation of a laboratory method for hepatitis B virus confirmation using dried blood spot (DBS) filter paper testing as an alternative method to venous blood collection. Matched DBS are being collected along with serum samples from 100 individuals. These are being analysed to determine if the DBS technology is a feasible method of sample collection in Kiribati.

• Kiribati – improving access to care and treatment of Viral Hepatitis in Kiribati

  As a World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Reference Laboratory for Hepatitis B Virus Suellen’s group along with the VIDRL Molecular Microbiology laboratory is involved in a collaborative project with Tungaru Central Hospital, the national referral hospital in Kiribati. Serum samples from HBsAg positive patients are collected and transported to VIDRL  for confirmatory laboratory testing for Hepatitis B and D viruses. From the enrolled patients, a treatment cohort will be established according to WHO criteria. The planned enrolment is 1,000 HBsAg positive patients. By identifying and initiating treatment for those with advanced disease this study will reduce the burden due to HBV infection in Kiribati.

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Lab Team

• Theo Karapanagiotidis

  Deputy scientist
• Vicki Stambos

  WHO Measles/Rubella scientist
• Bridget Fraser

  Bursary student
• Kim Vo

  Bursary student
• Rianne Brizuela

  Scientist
• Josie Camilleri

  Scientist
• Stavroula Corby

  Scientist
• Celia Douros

  Scientist
• Thomas Holgate

  Scientist
• Di Karamalakis

  Scientist
• Theodora Kaminis

  Scientist
• Alma Redzic

  Scientist
• Kate Sharma

  Scientist
• Daniel Sijmons

  Scientist
• Laura Stevens

  Scientist
• Megan Triantafilou

  Scientist

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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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• 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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• 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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• 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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