New infections continue to emerge as the result of environmental disruption and increased mobility of the human population. Recent examples include Hendra virus, Dengue, Japanese encephalitis, Murray Valley encephalitis, West Nile like-virus, multi drug-resistant pathogens including tuberculosis, pathogenic E. coli and malaria, as well as group A streptococci.
The capacity to detect microbial pathogens in patients is the first step in the treatment of infectious diseases. 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.
AID researchers possess significant expertise in the following areas:
- Technologies and strategies for detecting pathogens and antimicrobial resistance
- Biomarkers for rapid differential diagnosis of infectious/non-infectious pathogen type
- Biomarkers for surveillance and correlates of protection
- Development of clinical decision-making tools
Impact:
- Microbiome-centred diagnostics commercialised through spin-off Microba, internationally operating, publically traded company (Market cap $47M)
- Diagnostics development for epidemic and emerging pathogens, rapid AMR detection (e.g., STDs, 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)
In brief, by combining the AID researchers areas of expertise, we will bring genomic technologies to the clinical situation, with the goal of developing new diagnostic and epidemiological protocols.
A pledge to AID goes directly into the research of issues that impact the lives of many people and their families.