In the Media: Highlights from Immunology & Microbiology

Our experts from the Dept of Microbiology & Immunology at the Peter Doherty Institute have been at the forefront of breakthrough research, media commentary and COVID-19. Here are some of the latest highlights.

DMI media highlights – January to March 2024

• Dr Hui-Fern Koay, receives a Contributing to Australian Scholarship and Science (CASS) Medicine/Science Grant for her research that aims to address the obstacles of current T cell immunotherapies, which are effective in treating some blood cancers but face challenges in combating solid tumours. Read More.

• Prof Kanta Subbarao was featured in The Telegraph (UK) article How Covid killed off a deadly strain of flu for her expertise on influenza and the B/Yamagata flue strain.

• Prof Ian Barr was featured on The World Today (ABC Radio), as well as Radio Australia and ABC Radio News for his expertise on a deadly strain of avian influenza that has been detected in Antarctica. Listen Here.

• A/Prof Simon Graham co-authored a review, published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, which revealed cultural safety as key to better access to health for indigenous people living in urban settings in Canada. Read More.

• Dr Hoanh Tran contributed to new research published in eLife, revealing how mutations in a gene can lead to an incurable neurodevelopmental disorder that causes abnormal brain development in newborns and infants. Learn More.

• Dr Stephanie Neville has been awarded a CUREator grant by Brandon BioCatalyst, in the Minimising Antimicrobial Resistance Stream supported by CSIRO for her work specialising in antibiotic resistance of bacterial pathogens. Read More.

• Prof Kanta Subbarao, Prof Ian Barr, and Prof Lorena Brown receive major funding to develop a novel antiviral drug to counter influenza. The grant is part of the Pandemic Antiviral Discovery (PAD) initiative, a global philanthropic collaboration between the Novo Nordisk Foundation, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and Open Philanthropy, which aims to catalyse the discovery and early development of antiviral medicines in preparation for future pandemics. Read More.

• Prof Laura Mackay was the inspiration for high school student Charlie’s “She Did What? Competition entry aligning with International Day of Women and Girls in Science. Learn More.

• Prof Tim Stinear discusses his latest research on the role of mosquitoes in the spread of Buruli ulcer. Media Coverage included: 10 News, 7 News, ABC TV News at Noon with Ros Childs, ABC RN Breakfast, ABC Radion Melbourne, Bay FM (Geelong), The Guardian, The Herald Sun, The Conversation, Perth Now, 3CR Radical Radio, The Geelong Times, Lab+Life Scientist, The Sydney Morning Herald, Stock & Land, NT News and El Pais (English) / El Pais (Spanish) for his latest research on the role of mosquitoes in the spread of Buruli ulcer. He also took part in a two-part podcast for the Peter Doherty Institute. Part-One: 80 year-long transmission mystery solved. Part-two: A diagnosis and advocating for change.

• Prof Sammy Bedoui was featured in The Scientist article Fatty feasts may come at an immune cost for his expertise in immunology and to comment on the findings of a recent study of T cell metabolism.

• A/Prof Linda Wakim, was featured in The National Tribune article 10 of the Best: Harnessing the power of science to understand and defeat today’s health challenges for her study harnessing the power of natural immunity to extend vaccine protection.

• Dr Michelle Wille was featured in Science News article A bird flu outbreak is sweeping the globe. Its long-term effects are unclear for her expertise in avian influenza.

• Prof Jason Mackenzie was featured in ABC News Online article Flooding, wet weather across Australia prompts warning over mosquito-borne diseases for his expertise on Murray Valley encephalitis and Japanese encephalitis.