Centenary Institute hosts TB-CRE symposium

The meeting provided a platform for experts to discuss their latest research findings and to collaborate on strategies aimed at controlling and preventing TB in Australia and the Asia-Pacific region.

An infectious disease that most commonly affects the lungs, TB is responsible for around 1.3 million deaths globally each year. Despite its severity, it is a preventable and, in most cases, treatable disease, underscoring the critical importance of ongoing research in this area.

Professor Warwick Britton AO, Chief Investigator of the TB-CRE and Laboratory Head in the Centre for Infection and Immunity at the Centenary Institute, opened the symposium. He said continued investment in TB research and interventions was crucial.

“Tuberculosis remains one of the deadliest infectious diseases globally. Advancing our understanding and treatment of TB is essential to prevent its spread and to improve health outcomes for millions of affected individuals,” said Professor Britton.

Highlighting the need for innovative approaches, Professor Britton said that Centre-aligned researchers were working on a number of new drug and vaccine developments, alongside new control strategies tailored to regions of the Asia-Pacific with high TB rates. He also said that the symposium had been invaluable in fostering collaboration and sharing the latest advancements in the field.

“By uniting our expertise and ideas, we are accelerating the path towards more effective treatments and ultimately, the eradication of this devastating disease,” Professor Britton said.

Topic areas covered in the symposium included TB control and management in Australia and the Asia-Pacific; dealing with drug-resistant TB strains; updates on TB initiatives taking place in Kiribati, Papua New Guinea and Indonesia; and advancements in the next generation of TB vaccines including mRNA and pulmonary vaccines, as well as new TB vaccine adjuvants.

“I thank all of the researchers for their great talks and active participation, helping us push forward in the fight against TB,” Professor Britton concluded.

The TB-CRE conducts world-class TB research and is focused on improving TB control in Australia and the Asia-Pacific region. The Centenary Institute is an affiliate of the TB-CRE.