Doherty Institute

Lab-engineered antibodies offer hope against drug-resistant superbugs Researchers may have developed a new way to fight drug-resistant bacteria, using specially engineered antibodies that target a sugar found only on bacterial cells. This approach allows the immune system to precisely identify harmful bacteria, potentiall...

A new way to tackle antibiotic‑resistant infections. Researchers have engineered antibodies that target pseudaminic acid — a sugar found only on bacterial cells — helping the immune system precisely identify and destroy drug‑resistant bacteria.

https://bit.ly/45PSbVx

Nipah in the news: why it’s essential to follow the facts, not the fiction Doherty Institute's Dr Danielle Anderson shares the latest insights on Nipah virus reemergence in India, with two recent confirmed cases in West Bengal.

With Nipah making headlines again, it’s important to ask: what are the facts?
Nipah virus is not new, cases remain limited, and outbreaks over the past two decades have been closely managed. In public health, following the facts matters.
🔗 https://bit.ly/4qXDU1l

Bringing bystanders into the cancer battle Your default description here

Exhausted T cells and tissue‑resident memory T cells may look alike, but a new study finds key differences across cancers that could impact immunotherapy. One recognises tumour “tags,” the other reflects past infections, like flu or COVID-19, and must be deliberately engaged.

https://bit.ly/3M365Ni

YouTube video by Doherty Institute Questions from the community: What’s the latest on COVID-19 antivirals?

What’s the latest on COVID-19 antivirals? Community Advisory Board member Mohamed Mohideen chats with infectious diseases physician A/Prof Katherine Gibney, in our new video series, Questions from the Community.

📹 Watch here: https://bit.ly/4syjmh0

2025, the year that influenza surprised us Your default description here

2025 was a surprising year for flu, with cases extending beyond winter, a new subclade-K variant emerging and a boost in cases at the start of Summer. What does this activity tell us about the year ahead?
🔗 https://www.doherty.edu.au/news-events/news/2025-the-year-that-influenza-surprised-us

YouTube video by Doherty Institute Questions from the community: Understanding COVID 19 vaccines

Understanding COVID-19 vaccines: eligibility, timing and protecting at risk groups. Community Advisory Board member Mohamed Mohideen chats with infectious diseases physician A/Prof Katherine Gibney in our new video series.

📹 Watch here: https://bit.ly/3LlDnqA

YouTube video by Doherty Institute Questions from the community: Where are we at with COVID-19 now?

Where are we at with COVID-19 now? Community Advisory Board member Mohamed Mohideen chats with infectious diseases physician A/Prof Katherine Gibney, in our new video series, Questions from the Community.

📹 Watch here: https://youtu.be/zXJrCyEOoqk?si=519ezWI8pNyt7j5O

Doherty Institute secures $12.9M NHMRC Ideas Grants for 9 projects tackling antimicrobial resistance, TB, HIV, cancer immunology & immune biology—advancing new ways to fight infections & immune-related diseases.
🔗 https://bit.ly/4aJ6gas

Doherty Institute researchers have secured a $5M NHMRC Synergy Grant to uncover immune changes during pregnancy—insights that could improve maternal & newborn health worldwide.
🔗 Read more: https://www.doherty.edu.au/news-events/news/5-million-nhmrc-synergy-grant-to-unlock-immune-mysteries

2025, the year that influenza surprised us What an unusual season tells us about the year ahead

2025 has been a surprising year for influenza, with case activity extending beyond winter and a new variant H3N2 emerging.
Experts from @whofluccmelb.bsky.social unpack 2025 insights and explain what an unusual flu season means for us looking ahead to 2026.
https://bit.ly/496uwRu

A new approach using possum poo surveillance and cutting-edge genomics can provide an early-warning system to flag emerging Buruli ulcer hot spots before human cases occur.

https://www.doherty.edu.au/news-events/news/early-warning-tool-detect-buruli-ulcer-hotspots-before-human-cases-occur

🎥 New video series: Questions from the Community
Hosted by our Community Advisory Board, these Q&As connect researchers with the public. First up: COVID-19 insights with A/Prof Katherine Gibney—testing, antivirals, vaccines & more.
Watch here 🔗 https://bit.ly/49eRd7c

New ATAGI statement confirming the importance and safety of hepatitis B vaccine welcomed by Australia’s experts Australia’s foremost hepatitis researchers and clinicians have released a joint expert statement confirming that Australia’s recommendation remains unchanged

Australia’s leading hepatitis experts confirm: the recommendation stands—medically stable newborns meeting weight guidelines should get their first hepatitis B vaccine within 24 hours of birth.
https://bit.ly/4auUvo7

Gut health of Indigenous infants offers potential blueprint to help close the gap Your default description here

New collaborative study reveals Indigenous infants in remote Australia are born with more diverse gut bacteria – a key marker of early-life health – than non-Indigenous infants living in urban Australia.

https://bit.ly/4q7R3Ep

We're excited to announce the first artworks created through the Lionel Gell Art in Science Initiative have been unveiled at the Doherty Institute in partnership with @vca_mcm.
https://www.doherty.edu.au/news-events/news/lionel-gell-art-in-science-initiative-inaugural-artworks-unveiled

How our cells detect bacteria to fight disease Despite advances in medicine, many infectious diseases remain incurable. Researchers from the Doherty Institute have uncovered a critical piece of the puzzle: how the immune system senses bacteria. A discovery that could pave the way for effective vacci...

How does your immune system know when to fight bacteria? New research shows macrophages act as couriers, detecting bacteria and signalling MAIT cells to activate defences. This insight could guide better vaccines and therapies.
https://bit.ly/44ibhmm

Starting toddlers with two doses of the flu shot boosted effectiveness For children who have never been vaccinated against the flu, getting two doses of the inactivated flu vaccine was associated with improved protection compared with getting one dose, but only in those younger than three years, according to a systematic r...

Starting toddlers who’ve never had a flu shot with two doses makes a big difference, with new research showing this approach boosts protection and reduces severe illness.
https://www.doherty.edu.au/news-events/news/starting-toddlers-with-two-doses-flu-shot-boosted-effectiveness

How DNA tricks help tuberculosis fight back against treatment Doherty Institute researchers have used cutting-edge long-read DNA sequencing combined with genome graph analysis to uncover previously unknown genetic variations in Mycobacterium tuberculosis. This breakthrough creates a more complete TB genome map and opens the door to new treatment targets.

Doherty Institute researchers have uncovered new genetic variations in Mycobacterium tuberculosis, building a fuller TB genome map and paving the way for future treatments.
https://www.doherty.edu.au/news-events/news/how-dna-tricks-help-tuberculosis-fight-back-against-treatment

We’re thrilled to receive funding from the LEO Foundation to developing a rapid, low-cost test for Buruli ulcer, a neglected tropical disease widespread across West & Central Africa. This tool will help health teams deliver timely care in remote communities.

Strengthening Fiji’s HIV response through shared expertise and regional collaboration Amid one of the fastest-growing HIV outbreaks in the world, Fiji is mobilising rapidly to expand testing, treatment and prevention to safeguard its communities. The Doherty Institute is working in close partnership with the Fiji Ministry of Health and M...

Fiji is moving fast to curb one of the world’s fastest-growing HIV outbreaks. New investment from Aus & Fiji gov, rapid adoption of 4th-gen HIV tests, and joint work to strengthen referral pathways, including antenatal care, are driving progress.

https://bit.ly/4iqOyKu

Interested in helping research looking at immune responses to vaccines against mosquito-borne diseases? If you’re 18 years or older with no serious immune problems, you may be eligible for our study in Melbourne.
🔗 For more info visit https://bit.ly/47JVRIl

Mapping out the road to recovery from severe flu Getting the flu can range from a mild inconvenience, perhaps just a sniffle and a couple of days off work, to a more severe experience that may result in hospitalisation or even death. When we first get sick and develop symptoms, like a headache or sore...

Could a biomarker help identify patients at higher risk of severe flu? A new study from Doherty Institute researchers has pinpointed an immune cell that may hold the key.

https://www.doherty.edu.au/news-events/news/mapping-out-the-road-to-recovery-from-severe-flu

Interested in helping research looking at immune responses to vaccines against mosquito-borne diseases? If you’re 18 years or older with no serious immune problems, you may be eligible for our study in Melbourne.
🔗 For more info visit https://bit.ly/47JVRIl

Superbugs don’t stop at borders: why a regional approach to antimicrobial resistance is Australia’s safety net Your default description here

WHO’s GLASS 2025 report shows AMR is rising—but Western Pacific data gaps hide the real risk. This #WAAW2025 learn why closing these gaps matters for global health security.

Find out more 🔗 https://www.doherty.edu.au/news-events/news/superbugs-dont-stop-at-borders

Interested in helping research looking at immune responses to vaccines against mosquito-borne diseases? If you’re 18 years or older with no serious immune problems, you may be eligible for our study in Melbourne.
🔗 For more info visit https://bit.ly/47JVRIl

Five Doherty Institute researchers have made Clarivate's Highly Cited Researchers 2025 list, demonstrating significant and broad influence in their fields of research.

Find out more 🔗 https://www.doherty.edu.au/news-events/news/doherty-institute-researchers-among-clarivates-highly-cited-researchers

@unimelb.bsky.social

Congratulations to our researchers who have been awarded over $11 million through the 2026 Australian Research Council (ARC) Discovery Project grants, recognising their leadership in advancing knowledge of the immune system, infection and human health.
Find out more 🔗 https://bit.ly/43Dpjyx

Interested in helping research looking at immune responses to vaccines against mosquito-borne diseases? If you’re 18 years or older with no serious immune problems, you may be eligible for our study in Melbourne.
🔗 For more info visit https://bit.ly/47JVRIl

How ferrets help us understand the immune response to influenza Did you know ferrets play a key role in the fight against influenza? In fact, they are considered the ‘gold standard’ animal model for studying influenza viruses. That’s because their respiratory system behaves much like that of humans. Doherty Institut...

Ferrets are key to influenza research thanks to their human-like lungs, but there's a knowledge gap in how they respond to infection. Our researchers are using long RNA sequencing to find out more so flu studies can be better applied to humans.
https://bit.ly/49NiIW6