Researchers have been investigating how the immune system, particularly B and T cells, responds to the COVID-19 spike protein. Image: PixabayMelbourne.
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Positive signs of immunity after COVID-19 infection
Australian scientists have described the evolution of immunity levels up to four months following COVID-19 infection, finding that while antibody levels drop dramatically in the first one to two months, the decrease then slows down substantially.
The findings suggest that protective COVID-19 vaccines should ideally generate stronger antibody responses than natural infection.
The research, led by Professor Stephen Kent from the Doherty Institute in collaboration with the University of New South Wales Kirby Institute and Flinders University, has been published in high ranking journal Nature Communications,
The team, including University of Melbourne Dr Jennifer Juno, a Senior Research Fellow at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity (Doherty Institute), have been investigating how the immune system, particularly B and T cells, responds to the COVID-19 spike protein.
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Prime Minister Scott Morrison has rallied the support of foreign leaders to push back against Facebook’s “bullying”, after the social media giant stunned the world by blacking out news for millions of Australians and also blocking access to hundreds of other non-media pages.
Many businesses, state government health authorities were among those suddenly unplugged by Facebook on Thursday, including the Royal Children’s Hospital, Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Dementia Australia, MS Australia, a Northern Territory Indigenous health service, Bowel Cancer Australia, The Kids’ Cancer Project, mental health and domestic violence services, the Bureau of Meteorology and the West Australian opposition leader fighting an election.
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Efforts to protect Peninsula from Buruli ulcer continue
Mornington Peninsula Shire and the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity (Doherty Institute), partners in the Beating Buruli in Victoria research project, are starting a trial of targeted mosquito control in the high-risk areas of Blairgowrie and Rye.
Cases of Buruli Ulcer have increased significantly in Victoria in recent years, particularly along the Mornington and Bellarine Peninsulas. Research has shown areas where humans are most frequently contracting Buruli Ulcer are areas where possums and mosquitoes are most frequently carrying the causative bacteria.
This State and Federal Government funded trial incorporates a new approach, addressing community concerns raised in 2019 around the use of spraying to control mosquitoes.
US biotechnology firm Illumina is collaborating with the University of Melbourne and the Victorian Government to set up a A$60 million Genomics Hub in.