Diseases studied - Infectious disease
Infectious disease
To prevent the spread of blood borne diseases and enable early diagnosis and lifesaving treatment, it is necessary for blood testing laboratories to use the best techniques and constantly monitor the accuracy of test results.
The National Serology Reference Laboratory (NRL) at SVI provides quality assurance materials to laboratories that test for blood borne diseases in Australia and internationally. These materials, backed by support and guidance from the NRL, are used to ensure that test results in each laboratory are correct.
Building on this, the NRL conducts research to develop tests and better define the duration of infection in an individual, thus enabling improved treatment decisions and support of vaccine development. Research at the NRL is particularly focused on HIV and Hepatitis.