The two-day conference will focus on ‘Diagnostics – existing and new’ and ‘Vaccine preventable, emerging and re-emerging viruses’. The meeting will be held on the 30th April – 1st May, in Sydney at the stunning State Library of New South Wales. ViM brings together experts from diverse areas, all with viruses as the principle focus. The meeting will feature a VIM/RCPAQAP oration, case sessions, a ‘meet the professor’ session and an opportunity to network with delegates at a featured event.

Target Audience: Early career scientists, medical scientists and clinicians involved in the detection, diagnosis and treatment of vaccine preventable, emerging and re-emerging viral infections.

Areas to be covered: Day one focuses on viral diagnostics and covers the origins of viruses and initial detection methods, to current trends and the future of diagnostics. Day two features presentations on specific viral areas related to vaccine-preventable and potentially preventable viral infections.

Expected outcomes: Understand the importance of viruses by revisiting virus origins and reviewing the development of diagnostics to detect the evolving role of viruses in today’s infections. By focusing on specific viruses and preventative methods, delegates will be able to appreciate the importance of preventing viral diseases. We expect you will leave the meeting with a better understanding of virology, and how this applies to diagnostic and therapeutic clinical decisions.

Special Features: ViM/RCPAQAP oration, case sessions, a ‘meet the professor’ session and networking event in the beautiful Galleries at the State Library.

PROGRAM

Day 1 – Thursday 30th April 2020: Diagnostics existing and new

08:00 – 9:00 – REGISTRATION

Viruses in the Beginning

09:00 – 09:30 – Meeting Opening – Dr John Vallance – Director State Library

09:30 – 10:00 – Viruses and life origins – TBC

10:00 – 10:30 – Principles of Virology – a new decade – Prof Bill Rawlinson – NSWHP SAViD, NSW

10:30 – 11:00 – MORNING TEA

Early Detection/Diagnosis

11:00 – 11:30 – Electron Microscopy – the first wave – TBC

11:30 – 12:00 – Viral Culture – a dying art? – Ms Susan Alderson – Pathology West – ICPMR, NSW

12:00 – 12:30 – Serological Diagnosis of Viruses – TBC

12:30 – 13:30 – LUNCH

Detection/Diagnosis Evolving

13:30 – 14:00 – Point of Care Testing of Viruses – TBC

14:00 – 14:30 – Molecular Diagnostics of Viruses – Dr Darren Jardine – St Vincent’s, VIC

14:30 – 15:00 – Case Session – Identification of Viruses – TBC

15:00 – 15:30 – AFTERNOON TEA

The Future of Diagnostics

15:30 – 16:00 – VIM/RCPAQAP Oration – Viruses – TBC

16:00 – 16:30 – NextGen & Whole Genome Sequencing of Viruses – Dr David Warrilow – QHF&SS, QLD

16:30 – 17:00 – Use of NGS/WGS in Diagnostics – Dr Susan Ballard – MDU, VIC

17:00 – 17:15 – Day wrap-up; invitation to networking event – Ms Deane Byers – RCPAQAP

17:15 – 19:00 – NETWORKING EVENT – Gallery Rooms, State Library NSW

Day 2 – Friday 1st May 2020: Vaccine Preventable, Emerging and Re-emerging

08:00 – 09:00 – MEET WITH THE INTERNATIONAL PROFESSOR – TBC

Vaccine Preventable and Potentially Preventable

09:00 – 09:30 – Human Papillomavirus – AProf David Hawkes – VCS Foundation, VIC

09:30 – 10:00 – Parechovirus – Dr Brendan McMullan – SCH, NSW

10:00 – 10:30 – Influenza – Update on the 2019 season and vaccines – Prof Kanta Subbarao – WHO VIDRL, VIC

10:30 – 11:00 – MORNING TEA

Emerging and Re-emerging Viruses

11:00 – 11:30 – Measles Vaccine Virus – Prof Stephen Lambert – UQ, QLD

11:30 – 12:00 – HIV Vaccines – Impact on Laboratory Diagnostics – AProf Phillip Cunningham – St Vincent’s Hospital, NSW

12:00 – 12:30 – Hepatitis Viruses – Vaccine Prospects – TBC

12:30 – 13:30 – LUNCH

Emerging and Re-emerging Viruses

13:30 – 14:00 – Arboviruses and other mosquito borne agents – Dr David Speers – PathWest, WA

14:00 – 14:30 – Emerging antiviral Resistance – Dr Mike Catton – VIDRL, VIC

14:30 – 15:00 – Case Session – Virus Resistance Clinical Cases – TBC

15:00 – 15:30 – AFTERNOON TEA

The Future of Diagnostics

15:30 – 16:00 – Prions – TBC

16:00 – 16:15 – Conclusion and Meeting Close – Prof Bill Rawlinson – NSWHP SAViD, NSW

10 APACE CPD credit points are allocated for each conference day attended.