The COVID-19 global pandemic is an unprecedented health emergency.
Our dedicated team of scientists are expanding and fast-tracking our research into COVID-19 thanks to the wonderful support of the community and with the recent boost of a $5 million funding injection from the Queensland Government. The investment has allowed 5 existing, priority research projects to accelerate to the next stage, and will allow another 4 new projects to start. None of these would have been possible without the initial generosity and support of individuals.
Our Projects
- Immunity in COVID-19
- Discovery of drugs for treating cardiac dysfunction
- First-in-class drugs to prevent severe stage COVID-19
- Queensland-specific modelling of the pandemic
- Mental health impacts in Queensland community
- Inflammation in the brain due to COVID-19
- The role of Ferritin in severe COVID-19 cases
- Virus-induced inflammation in the blood brain barrier
- Establish the Queensland Alliance for the Control of Infectious Diseases (QACID).
- Rapid blood test for COVID-19 patient triaging by likely disease severity
- Rapid saliva screening test for COVID-19 using infrared technology
The Faces Behind the Work
Establishment of a laboratory for COVID-19 research
Professor Andreas Suhrbier
Professor Andreas Suhrbier has overseen the repurposing of our high biosecurity (PC3) laboratory to handle and experiment on SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. This repurposing, which was completed in record time, now allows us to evaluate drugs and vaccines. Read more…
First-in-class drugs to prevent severe stage COVID-19
A symptomatic patients who display no viral symptoms are capable of being highly contagious and represent a significant danger of spread of the virus. This conveys the urgent need for new post-exposure prophylaxis drugs (PEPs). Read more…
Discovery of drugs for treating cardiac dysfunction
Associate Professor James Hudson
SARS-CoV-2 leads to cardiac injury and dysfunction in two-thirds of hospitalised patients and higher rates of mortality in people with pre-existing cardiovascular disease. Associate Professor James Hudson and his team have conducted studies into the effects of COVID-19 on the heart. Read more…
Exploring the impacts of responses to the COVID-19 pandemic
Professor Sarah Medland and Associate Professor Lucía Colodro Conde
The COVID-19 pandemic is affecting all of us at both individual and societal levels with no recent precedents in most western nations. In Australia, stress is arising from the measures to control the pandemic (e.g. social distancing, border closures, lockdowns). At the same time, the pandemic is an opportunity to put in place strategies to adapt to change. Read more…
COVID-19 Worldwide Statistics
This data is shown from the “COVID-19 Dashboard by the Center for Systems Science and Engineering (CSSE) at Johns Hopkins University” for more information please click here
