Serology

Head

Heidi Peck

The Serology division is responsible for:

Determination of type and subtype/lineages

Cell culture propagation and influenza virus isolation

Antigenic characterisation by Haemagglutination Inhibition (HI) assay and/or Focus Reduction Microneutralisation assay (FRA)

Genetic Analysis

Head

Yi-Mo Deng

The Genetic Analysis division is responsible for:

Determination of type and subtype/lineages

Routine sequencing of selected genes

Whole genome sequencing

Next generation sequencing

Antiviral Drug Sensitivity

Head

Saira Hussain

The Antiviral Drug Sensitivity division is responsible for:

Phenotypic assays

Genetic characterisation of mutations associated with reduced sensitivity to antiviral drugs

Educator

Patrick Reading

The Centre is responsible for overseeing training and support for overseas laboratories in various aspects of influenza virus identification, characterisation and surveillance. We are happy to provide technical advice and to work with partners to coordinate training of laboratory staff at The Centre or in country, as required.

For more information on Training at the Centre, plese see the Training page

Head

Clyde Dapat

The Bioinformatics division is involved in a range of activities, including large-scale genomics data processing and management for influenza surveillance, bioinformatics training (domestically and internationally), software development, and research into influenza and other respiratory viruses. Responsibilities also include reporting to National Influenza Centres (NICs) and the influenza vaccine composition meeting (VCM).

Link to GISAID can be found here

Head

Heidi Peck

Surveillance data generated by the Centre is used to make recommendations for both the Northern and Southern Hemisphere influenza vaccines

More information on vaccine development can be found here, and current vaccine recommendations can be found here

Head

Jessica Miller

Surveillance

The epidemiology group works with influenza sentinel surveillance systems operating in Australia to estimate influenza vaccine effectiveness and to understand the validity of the methods used to conduct these studies.

The group also works with collaborators around the world to compile vaccine effectiveness data into a report for use in vaccine strain selection.

We work closely with national and regional partners including the WHO and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the US to provide training and support, and to improve influenza surveillance.

Research

The epidemiology group is engaged in a range of research studies primarily concerned with understanding biases in studies to estimate vaccine effectiveness and to understand the consequences of repeated vaccination.

We are involved in several sero-epidemiology studies, including a multi-centre cohort study of healthcare workers, to understand the immunological responses to repeated vaccination.

The group also provides epidemiological and statistical support to other studies both within Australia and internationally.

For more information on Centre Research and Education, click here.

Immunity to viruses

Senior Research Scientist

Annette Fox

Early recognition and response to influenza

Professorial Fellow

Patrick Reading

Antivirals and animal influenzas

Senior Research Scientist

Saira Hussain