COVID-19 - Institute for Molecular Bioscience - University of Queensland

Ever since the first cases of COVID-19 became public in late 2019, there has been a life-or-death race involving the global scientific community. This race is not against each other, but a race to learn how we can defeat the SARS-CoV-2 virus as quickly as possible.

Better ways to detect, test and diagnose the virus are needed now. We must understand how the virus spreads, why it affects different people in different ways, and find better treatments for those severely affected.

As a global leader in multidisciplinary life sciences research, IMB brings together 250 researchers from across the globe to help solve some of the world’s greatest health and environmental challenges. We are already making significant inroads to answer many of these questions about COVID-19.

To continue and accelerate our work in this and other important areas, we need your support.

Fighting chronic inflammation in severe COVID

3 May 2023

Webinar: COVID-19

COVID-19 webinar highlights with Dr Larisa Labzin

Fighting chronic inflammation in severe COVID

Published on: 3 May 2023

Understanding how immune cells respond to the SARS-CoV-2 virus will help prevent runaway inflammation.
COVID Q & A: our virologist answers

Published on: 2 March 2022

IMB virologist Dr Larisa Labzin answers questions on long COVID and whether scientists could eventually develop a vaccine against all COVID-19 variants.
Vascular disease in COVID-19 is not caused by viral infection of blood vessels

Published on: 27 October 2021

The SARS-CoV-2 virus does not infect blood vessels, despite the high risk of blood clots, IMB researchers have confirmed.
Volunteers needed for Australia-wide COVID study

Published on: 19 February 2021

Australians are being asked to help unravel the mysteries of COVID-19.
Pfizer test an exciting step towards COVID vaccine

The Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine announcement is very exciting - but there is still a long way to go.
Can we be reinfected with COVID-19 after recovery?

Dr Larisa Labzin comments on findings that a Hong Kong man has been reported with a second COVID-19 infection.
Bound by infection: identifying how COVID-19 interacts with cells

Published on: 21 October 2020

An international team has found a way to potentially prevent the novel coronavirus from infecting cells, as well as clues as to why it is more infectious than similar viruses.
How could wearing a mask help build immunity to COVID-19? It’s all about the viral dose

Scientists think face masks help limit virus spread by protecting everyone else from the infected wearer. As a result, face masks are now mandatory in many cities, states and countries to limit the spread of COVID-19.
Exposure to common colds might give some people a head start in fighting COVID-19

Published on: 20 August 2020

Some new studies have found people who were never symptomatic, exposed to, or tested positive for COVID-19 that have immune cells that can recognise COVID-19.
Understanding overblown immune response is central to conquering COVID-19

Published on: 23 June 2020

Instead of protecting us from the virus that causes COVID-19, the body's natural defence mechanisms can overreact and inflict damage. Understanding why could make the infection far less dangerous.