research

rotavirus

summary

Gastroenteritis caused by rotavirus is the most common cause of severe diarrhoea and vomiting leading to death in infants and young children, particularly in developing countries. Improvements in clean water and living conditions have not reduced the burden of disease in poorer countries such as Africa and Asia and a rotavirus vaccine is urgently needed in these countries. The focus of our research is to produce a safe, affordable oral rotavirus vaccine to be given from birth, unlike the two currently available rotavirus vaccines which are given from two months, to offer early protection to babies in developing countries.

group leader(s)

Julie Bines

Professor Julie Bines
Rotavirus
Murdoch Childrens Research Institute
Royal Children's Hospital
Flemington Road
Parkville, Victoria 3052

T +61 3 9345 4107
E  julie.bines@rch.org.au

  group leader biography

 

 

 

 

Carl Kirkwood

 

Dr Carl Kirkwood
Rotavirus
Murdoch Childrens Research Institute
Royal Children's Hospital
Flemington Road
Parkville, Victoria 3052

T   +61 3 8341 6439
F   +61 3 8341 6449
E   Carl.kirkwood@mcri.edu.au

  group leader biography

 

current research projects

Rotavirus infection is the leading cause of severe dehydrating gastroenteritis in infants and young children worldwide. The lethal combination of rotavirus infection and malnutrition causes millions of children to suffer serious illness worldwide, and is responsible for more than 500,000 deaths per year, predominantly in developing countries. Our research focuses on the development of a human neonatal rotavirus vaccine, and improving our understanding of the epidemiology, immunity and biology of these viruses.

Our current research areas include:

• Development and testing of an oral rotavirus vaccine: RV3-BB
• Conducting rotavirus surveillance - nationally and internationally.
• Rotavirus vaccine safety

team members

  • Daniel Cowley - Research Officer
  • Margaret Danchin - RESEARCH FELLOW
  • Fran Justice - Research Assistant
  • Vicka Oktaria - Observer
  • Gerhard Rank - Contractor
  • William Siero - Research Assistant
  • Jane Standish - Senior Research Officer
  • Emma Watts - Project Manager

publications

  • Buttery JP., Danchin MH., Lee KJ., Carlin JB., McIntyre PB., Elliott EJ., Booy R., Bines JE. Intussusception following rotavirus vaccine administration: Post-marketing surveillance in the National Immunization Program in Australia. VACCINE 29 (16) : 3061 - 3066(2011) PubMed
  • Justice FA., Nguyen LT., Tran SN., Kirkwood CD., Thi NT., Carlin JB., Bines JE. Recurrent intussusception in infants. JOURNAL OF PAEDIATRICS AND CHILD HEALTH 47 (11) : 802 - 805(2011) PubMed

competitive funding

NHMRC
NZHRC
PATH, Seattle

collaborations & affiliations

University of Melbourne
PATH, Seattle
Bio Farma, Indonesia
Gadja Mada University, Yogyakarta
University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
WHO, Geneva