Through the AIID, we will be able to deliver unprecedented benefits to Australia and beyond. At this transformational moment, we are seeking partners who believe in innovation and collaboration. People like you, who understand that a critical mass of scientific excellence can surmount challenges yet unknown, for the benefit of global health and wellbeing.
Our goal is to raise AU$50 million in philanthropic investment to create the capacity and infrastructure of a world-leading one-stop hub of excellence in infectious diseases research and pandemic preparedness.
A new large capacity PC3 High Containment Facility will enable the identification, characterisation and isolation of new viruses that can cause severe disease to support development of treatment and response.
This clinical trial facility will provide a safe environment for rapid evaluation of new drugs and vaccines, and is the first of its kind in Australia.
Robotic biobanking offers safe, fast, remote treatment and storage of biological samples. Robotics automate repetitive research processes to achieve research outcomes much more rapidly than is possible via human input alone. Neither capability currently exists in Australia.
AIID will include four ISO (International Standards Organisation) labs with varying capabilities, for protein production and development of point of care diagnostic products.
An electron microscope with new state-of-the-art technology will allow alliance partners and industry partners to quickly identify emerging pathogens and how they cause disease.
The new facility will provide dedicated space for industry partners, providing access to lab and research space that is currently in short supply in Australia, as well as the ability to engage with scientific mentors and participate in supportive programming.
These shared spaces will house Burnet and Doherty and formalise the collaboration that occurred during COVID-19. The focus will be seeking new advances in public health genomics through artificial intelligence, which will allow for rapid outbreak response, understanding infectious diseases transmission, and the development of novel diagnostics.
Convergence Zones will be key collaboration points within the facility for laboratory-based researchers, public health reference lab scientists, global health researchers, and public health practitioners.
We invite you to have a conversation with us about your area of interest and how you might have maximum impact.
Contact: Anthony North, the University of Melbourne Director of Advancement, AIID, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences.
Email: anthony.north@unimelb.edu.au | phone: +61 468 613 853.