At the Wesfarmers Centre of Vaccines and Infectious Diseases, based at The Kids Research Institute Australia, there are epidemiologists, microbiologists and clinical researchers all playing a vital role in the fight against coronavirus. We have learnt about the epidemiologists and the part they play, but what do the microbiologists do exactly? And how can they help on the COVID-19 frontline?
For part two of this three-part series, find out what our microbiologists are up to in the laboratories during this global pandemic.
The Microbiologists
While the epidemiologists are examining the numbers and modelling the spread of disease, the laboratory-based microbiologists are paying attention to the diagnostic tests being used to identify people testing positive for coronavirus.
“In the case of a new disease like COVID-19, there are many unknowns that we are all working hard to discover,” says Dr Lea-Ann Kirkham, Microbiologist and Co-Head of the Bacterial Respiratory Infectious Disease Group.
“Our microbiologists are gathering information that can be used to inform trials assessing disease transmission and potential new treatments. This includes providing guidance on which specimens should be collected and the best diagnostic tests to use.
“We are also exploring the possibility of testing the anti-viral properties of a new treatment we have developed to assist with the fight against COVID-19, as well as developing a new blood test to find out who has been exposed to the virus.
“Our expertise in infectious diseases has led to a collaboration with an international team of behavioural scientists who have developed a soon-to-be-released COVID-19 Risk Calculator App. Designed to give the public a tool to assess their risk of contracting and spreading the virus, the App is expected to reduce traffic on COVID-19 helplines throughout the world.
“In addition, our team have volunteered to help on the frontline, providing our laboratory skills and specialist equipment to help test swabs from the WA public for coronavirus. This will assist in managing the vast number of samples that need to be processed during this pandemic.
“Doing this work makes me proud because we are in a position to be able to help, not only during this crisis but also in years to come - unravelling the mysteries of this disease and learning how to better protect our community from future pandemics,” says Dr Kirkham.
Please visit the Wesfarmers Centre of Vaccines and Infectious Diseases website for more information about the work of the Centre’s infectious disease researchers or to access additional COVID-19 resources for your family.
Read more
What are our epidemiologists doing behind the scenes during the coronavirus pandemic?
How will our clinical trial researchers help evaluate a potential coronavirus vaccine?