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 and discuss experiences of Coronaviruses’ 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 and discuss experiences of Coronaviruses’ 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 – SARS and other Coronaviruses – 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 – AProf Murray Killingsworth – AP Liverpool Hospital

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

12:00 – 12:30 – Serological Diagnosis of Viruses – Dr Zin Naing – POWH, NSW

12:30 – 13:30 – LUNCH

Detection/Diagnosis Evolving

13:30 – 14:00 – Point of Care Testing of Viruses – Dr Tanya Applegate – Kirby Institute, NSW

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

14:30 – 15:00 – Case Session – Paediatric Virology Cases – Dr Brendan McMullan – SCH Randwick, NSW & Prof Alison Kesson – Children’s Hospital Westmead, NSW

15:00 – 15:30 – AFTERNOON TEA

The Future of Diagnostics

15:30 – 16:00 – VIM/RCPAQAP Oration – Viruses, cancer and autoimmunity – emerging immunotherapy – Prof Rajiv Khanna – QIMR

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 and discuss experiences of Coronaviruses – Dr Mike Catton, Prof Kanta Subbarao, Prof Bill Rawlinson, 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 and other respiratory viruses of pandemic and epidemic potential – 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 – Australian Response to 2019-novel Coronavirus – Dr Mike Catton – VIDRL, VIC

12:30 – 13:30 – LUNCH

Emerging and Re-emerging Viruses

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

14:00 – 14:30 – Hepatitis C Update and Antiviral Resistance – AProf Mark Douglas – Westmead Millennium Institute, NSW

14:30 – 15:00 – Hepatitis Viruses – new Vaccine Prospects – Prof Andrew Lloyd – Kirby Institute, NSW

15:00 – 15:30 – AFTERNOON TEA

The Future of Diagnostics

15:30 – 16:00 – Prions – Prof Colin Masters – UMelb, VIC

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.