New and emerging infectious disease threats continue to arise as the result of environmental disruption, increased mobility of the human population, and development of treatment resistance. Recent examples include SARS-CoV2, zoonotic influenza viruses, Hendra virus, Dengue, Japanese encephalitis, Murray Valley encephalitis, West Nile like-virus, multi drug-resistant pathogens including Mycobacterium tuberculosis, pathogenic Escherichia coli, group A streptococci, Candida spec. and malaria parasites.
The capacity to detect microbial pathogens in patients, animals, or the environment is the first step in the identification of infectious disease causes. The range of technological platforms available within AID enables the development of accurate and rapid diagnostic tests for the identification of viral, bacterial, fungal, and parasitic pathogens.
AID combines expertise in classical and new-age diagnostic approaches to develop and apply novel diagnostic methodologies for rapid detection of new emerging and re-emerging infections.
- Technologies and strategies for detecting pathogens and antimicrobial resistance
- Biomarkers for rapid differential diagnosis of infectious/non-infectious conditions and differentiation of pathogen type
- Biomarkers for surveillance and correlates of protection
- Development of clinical decision-making tools
Impact:
- Diagnostics development for epidemic and emerging pathogens, rapid AMR detection (e.g., sexually transmitted diseases, emerging viruses)
- Biomarkers for rapid differential diagnosis of viral vs. bacterial infections (e.g., sepsis)
- Tools for clinical decision making (e.g., Travel & Vaccines; longCOVIDRisk)
- Microbiome-centred diagnostics commercialised through spin-off Microba, internationally operating, publicly traded company