The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity

10/08/2026

Know someone who is thinking about a career in biomedical research? We're hosting a student information session this week for people considering Honours and Master's degrees, specialising in immunology and infectious diseases.

🗓️ Wednesday, 12 August
🕓 4.00 - 6.30pm
📍 Doherty Institute

Hear from course coordinators and current students, and explore the exciting research projects available at the Doherty Institute, through University of Melbourne.

Register 🔗 https://www.eventbrite.com/e/uom-dmi-honours-and-masters-information-session-tickets-1995876753096?aff=oddtdtcreator

Medicine, Dentistry & Health Sciences at UniMelb

04/08/2026

We recently welcomed technical staff from Cambodia’s National Institute of Public Health to the Doherty Institute for hands-on training in high-containment (PC3) laboratories.

These specialised labs are essential for safely working with serious infectious diseases. Through practical training led by The Royal Melbourne Hospital's Victorian Infectious Diseases Reference Laboratory, facility tours and simulations, participants built the skills needed to manage risks, maintain complex systems and operate safely.

By sharing knowledge and working in partnership, we’re supporting stronger, safer laboratory systems across the Asia-Pacific, helping communities be better prepared for future health threats.

03/08/2026

Know someone who is thinking about a career in biomedical research? We're hosting a student information session this month for people considering Honours and Master's degrees, specialising in immunology and infectious diseases.

🗓️ Wednesday, 12 August
🕓 4.00 - 6.30pm
📍 Doherty Institute

Hear from course coordinators and current students, and explore the exciting research projects available at the Doherty Institute, through University of Melbourne.

Register 🔗 https://www.eventbrite.com/e/uom-dmi-honours-and-masters-information-session-tickets-1995876753096?aff=oddtdtcreator

Medicine, Dentistry & Health Sciences at UniMelb

31/07/2026

Congratulations to researchers at the Doherty Institute who have secured more than $13 million in NHMRC Investigator Grants. The funding will support a diverse portfolio of projects spanning antimicrobial resistance, one of the most pressing global health challenges, alongside genomics, vaccine development, maternal and child health and immune protection against emerging infections and to prevent severe disease.

Find out more 🔗 https://www.doherty.edu.au/articles/13-million-nhmrc-funding-boosts-innovative-research-at-the-doherty-institute/

Medicine, Dentistry & Health Sciences at UniMelb

27/07/2026

Patients who catch COVID-19 in hospital can experience more serious health outcomes and longer hospital stays than those infected in the community, according to a new Victorian study analysing more than 69,000 COVID-19 hospitalisations between 2021 and 2024.

Researchers from The Royal Melbourne Hospital's VICNISS found that COVID-19 acquired in hospital was linked to poorer outcomes, particularly among older and vulnerable patients.

While outcomes improved over time thanks to vaccination, treatments and increasing immunity, the findings highlight the ongoing importance of infection prevention measures in healthcare settings to help keep patients safe.

Find out more 🔗 https://www.doherty.edu.au/articles/when-covid-19-is-caught-in-hospital-the-risk-doesnt-end-with-infection/

Medicine, Dentistry & Health Sciences at UniMelb

A new study led by VICNISS, published in the Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health, found that hospitalised patients who acquired COVID-19 in hospital were more likely to die within 30 days than patients whose infection was acquired in the community.

26/07/2026

Last chance to register for Cure for Hepatitis B — hoax, hype, or hope? Hosted by Hepatitis B Voices Australia for World Hepatitis Day.

What does a hepatitis B cure mean? Why should we be sceptical, and do any new ‘cures' pass the test? How is Australia working on and preparing for a cure for hepatitis B?

Have your questions answered in a safe and open community Q&A session, and hear presentations with the most up-to-date information from international experts.

🗓️ Tuesday 28 July 2026
🕠 5.30 - 8.00pm
📍 Doherty Institute

Places are limited to secure your registration today 👉 https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/cure-for-hepatitis-b-hoax-hype-or-hope-tickets-1993398488540?aff=oddtdtcreator&keep_tld=true

The Royal Melbourne Hospital
Medicine, Dentistry & Health Sciences at UniMelb

Led by Hepatitis B Voices Australia and hosted by the Doherty Institute.

21/07/2026

Across the Western Pacific region, some countries have successfully eliminated measles, while others continue to report cases, highlighting the importance of preparedness through strong diagnostic capability.
We’re proud to partner with the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Ministry of Health Samoa to deliver hands-on training that builds molecular diagnostic skills locally.

Over two weeks, our teams from The Royal Melbourne Hospital’s Victorian Infectious Diseases Reference Laboratory (VIDRL) and the WHO Collaborating Centre for Reference and Research on Influenza worked alongside Samoan medical scientists, focusing on testing for measles and rubella, as well as influenza and SARSCoV2.

Investing in local expertise helps strengthen health systems and supports faster responses to outbreaks.

World Health Organization Western Pacific Region

20/07/2026

With reported bird flu cases rising nationwide, government agencies and conservation groups are increasingly focused on what we can do to further prepare and plug potential gaps in the national response.

Last week, we spoke about the impact bird flu has had globally, the risks to Australia's unique native wildlife, how the federal government can increase resilience of the most at-risk natives species and what we can all do to mobilise action and mitigate harm.

Thank you to all who attended. If you missed out, now's your chance to watch the recording: https://biodiversitycouncil.org.au/news/webinar-h5n1-bird-flu-and-australian-wildlife

BirdLife Australia, Australian Marine Conservation Society, Invasive Species Council, The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Wildlife Health Australia

19/07/2026

Join Hepatitis B Voices Australia this World Hepatitis Day for their event, Cure for Hepatitis B — hoax, hype, or hope?

What does a hepatitis B cure mean? Why should we be sceptical, and do any new ‘cures' pass the test? How is Australia working on and preparing for a cure for hepatitis B?

Have your questions answered in a safe and open community Q&A session, and hear presentations with the most up-to-date information from international experts.

🗓️ Tuesday 28 July 2026
🕠 5.30 - 8.00pm
📍 Doherty Institute

Places are limited to secure your registration today 👉 https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/cure-for-hepatitis-b-hoax-hype-or-hope-tickets-1993398488540?aff=oddtdtcreator&keep_tld=true

The Royal Melbourne Hospital
Medicine, Dentistry & Health Sciences at UniMelb

Led by Hepatitis B Voices Australia and hosted by the Doherty Institute.

15/07/2026

From elimination to equity: a new focus for TB in Australia.

Australia has long focused on eliminating tuberculosis (TB). Now, a new national strategy is shifting the focus to equity, recognising that TB doesn’t impact everyone equally.

The 2026–2030 National Strategic Plan broadens the response to address real-world challenges, including access to care, financial stress, and long-term health impacts, particularly for rural and remote communities and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

At the Doherty Institute, this aligns with work already underway by The Royal Melbourne Hospital's Victorian Tuberculosis Program, to better understand the lived experience of TB and reduce barriers to care.

Find out more 🔗

A governance structure that supports integration and fosters collaboration, strong leadership and management, creating a unified organisation.