The transcription factor STAT3 (red) is activated and translocates to the nucleus (blue) in HCV-infected cells (green).<br/>Courtesy of Erin McCartney, The University of Adelaide, ADELAIDE SA AUSTRALIA

Infection of Human T cells infected by Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1. Surface of the T cell showing HIV Viral particles at various stages of morphogenesis. Both fully matured viral particle and budding viral particles (dark and dense membrane protrusions on cell surface). The T cells were infected by HIV strain 979.<br/>Courtesy of Nitin Saksena, Ross Boadle, Monica Miranda, Bin Wang, Megan Steain (Westmead Millennium Institute for Medical Research, WESTMEAD NSW AUSTRALIA)

Confocal microscopic analysis of HCV E2 protein (red) and HBV surface antigen (HBsAg; green) in Huh-7 cells that harbour active replication of HCV and HBV. Cells that appear yellow harbour active replication of both HCV and HBV and display co-localization of E2 and HBsAg.<br/>Courtesy of Nicholas Eyre, The University of Adelaide, ADELAIDE SA AUSTRALIA

Confocal microscopic analysis of the localization of HBsAg (red) and HBcAg (green) in Huh-7 cells that harbour active hepatitis B virus replication. Co-localization of HBsAg and HBcAg appears yellow.<br/>Courtesy of Nicholas Eyre, The University of Adelaide, ADELAIDE SA AUSTRALIA

3D model of gp120 highlighting the shield of glycans that protect it from neutralizing antibodies (blue).<br/>Courtesy of Andy Poumbourios, Burnet Institute, MELBOURNE VIC AUSTRALIA

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Australian Centre for HIV and Hepatitis Virology Research (ACH²)

The Australian Centre for HIV and Hepatitis Virology Research (ACH²) is one of Australia’s four national centres for HIV and Hepatitis research and is funded by the Commonwealth Government as represented by the Department of Health and Ageing.

The purpose of the Centre is to deliver virological and immunological research outcomes of significance to improve the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of HIV and HCV in Australia and in a broader regional and international context.

What is ACH²?

ACH² represents a continuum in research from basic virology and immunology, through to clinical and social research. The Centre encourages basic scientists, including virology and immunology researchers in HIV and hepatitis fields to translate biomedical discoveries into health care and biotechnology outcomes, and to support clinical research. The Centre has three major activities: a regular expression of interest Funding round for strategic projects; the Immunovirology Research Network (IVRN) Immunovirology Research Network for nationwide research specimen collection and redistribution for strategic research; an Annual Scientific Workshop Workshops to facilitate research collaborations.

Aims

The Centre’s ultimate aim is to generate outcomes that will enable Australia to combat the impact of HIV, HCV, and HBV locally and in the SE Asia/Pacific region. To achieve its aims, the Centre has established close relationships with the Australian Centre for Hepatitis Virology (ACHV) http://www.med.unsw.edu.au/achvWeb.nsf the Kirby Institute, http://kirby.unsw.edu.au/ and also with the Australian Liver Association http://liver.org.au/.

Furthermore, the Centre operates as a virtual institute with open access to all HIV and hepatitis researchers in Australia.

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AUSTRALIAN SNAPSHOT OF HIV - 2014

An estimated 27,150 people were living with HIV infection in Australia. There was a total of 1,081 newly diagnosed infections. HIV continued to be primarily transmitted amongst men-who-have-sex-with-men (MSM) - 70%, with a further 19% of cases attributed to heterosexual sex, 5% to sexual contact between men and injecting drug use, and 3% to injecting drug use only.

AUSTRALIAN SNAPSHOT OF HEPATITIS C - 2014

An estimated 230,470 people had chronic hepatitis C infection in Australia, of whom 185,740 people had early to moderate fibrosis and 44,730 severe fibrosis or hepatitis C related cirrhosis. There was a total of 10,621 newly diagnosed infections. Hepatitis C transmission continued to occur primarily amongst people with a recent history of injecting drug use.

AUSTRALIAN SNAPSHOT OF HEPATITIS B - 2014

An estimated 213,300 people were living with chronic hepatitis B infection in Australia, of whom 19,837 (9.3%) were Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. There was a total of 6,635 newly diagnosed hepatitis B infections. Hepatitis B transmission continued to occur predominantly amongst people with a recent history of Injecting drug use, with higher rates in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples than in non-Indigenous.

Source: Annual Surveillance Report, Kirby Institute, 2014

Australian Centre for HIV and Hepatitis Virology Research (ACH2)

What is ACH2?